Pictured with his yellow Piper Cub aircraft is Doug Herlihy, known as Air One, who founded Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office volunteer air unit in 2004. He retired May 1. Contributed photo
KLICKITAT CO. — Doug Herlihy, the founding member 20 years ago of the Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office volunteer air unit, retired May 1 after flying 1,411 hours for the county.
The airwing started with just Herlihy’s plane, and at one time grew to seven volunteer pilots. Now it has five volunteer pilots who conduct fire watch, find lost vehicles and people, and oversee police activity, according to a press release from the sheriff’s office.
It is the largest such air unit in the state. “Klickitat County truly benefits with the guardians in our skies,” the press release stated.
Herlihy, known as “Air One,” has flown more than 19,000 hours in his career, and 7,500 in the type of small plane, a yellow Piper Cub, that he flew with the airwing.
Herlihy’s career began in the U.S. Coast Guard, where he first flew seaplanes in Port Angeles, Wash.
Then, as a captain on the Lockheed Hercules, he worked in Alaska, where he was awarded the Grumman Silver Albatross Club for rescues with the Grumman Albatross.
In 2016, Doug was awarded the FAA Wright Brothers “Master Pilot” Award for 50 years of accident-free flying.
Herlihy will continue in private practice as a forensic investigator of aviation accidents.
“We are thankful for all his knowledge and skill he has brought to the KCSO airwing,” the press release stated. “When you see the yellow Piper Cub in the sky, give a wave and a thank you.”
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