The second annual When Pigs Fly fundraiser drew over 300 attendees to the Yuba County Airport (MVY) on Saturday for a fundraiser that benefits the Sheriff’s Aero Squadron, organizers said.

The event was held on the ramp of the airport starting at 5:30 p.m. Items were available from a silent auction as well as a live auction was held after dinner was served.

Yuba County Sheriff’s Department Public Information Officer Katy Goodson said the aero squadron is very involved in the community and proceeds from the fundraiser will go towards scholarships and helping the squadron achieve their mission.

“As you can tell from the huge turnout, people just want to support the program and what they do and the people in the community that they support,” Goodson said. “So it’s really just an opportunity for people to give back to the community through a fundraiser like this.”

Dinner tickets were $50 each, with Sapphire Marketing Group being listed and the main sponsor. 

Several other organizations were on hand to support the event including the Tuskegee Airmen Heritage Chapter of Greater Sacramento that participated with a Scale Wings 51 painted in Tuskegee Airmen livery. The same aircraft and organization also participated in the Oroville Fly-in earlier the same day.

Aero squadron commander Jon Messick said the squadron helps law enforcement agencies and first responders in both Yuba and Sutter counties by locating lost individuals, identifying stolen property, and collecting evidence. 

Although drones are not always practical in much of Yuba and Sutter county’s rural communities, Massick said the squadron is expanding into drone use for some cases such as missing persons. He plans to acquire equipment with night capabilities to aid in searches.

The squadron has about 30 members, 10 of whom are pilots, Messick said. The organization can have an aircraft in the air within about 20 minutes of receiving a call, he said.

The event not only helps raise funds for the program, but also serves to raise awareness about the squadron in the community, Goodson said.