Flying with the Indiana State Police isn’t as simple as being a trooper and having a pilot’s license.

Sgt. David Ploog came out of the academy with five years of flying experience under his belt with the U.S. Army, but still worked on the ground for roughly a decade. When a former ISP pilot left to join the National Guard full time, Ploog – who still flies with the Army and has been with the Indiana National Guard for 24 years – was tapped to join.

“I always knew I would fly for the department, just didn’t know I’d be doing it this soon,” Ploog told the Indiana Capital Chronicle. He’s now been flying with ISP for roughly three years.

Staffing has ebbed and flowed over the decades. At one point, the aviation wing had a dozen aircraft, with mechanics and over 20 pilots spread out across t

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