A. There is hereby created an aviation unit in the office of state police. The unit created herein shall have authority of ownership, control, maintenance, and operation of all state-owned aircraft, including helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, used by the office of state police. The deputy secretary for public safety services is authorized to appoint as many police and civilian employees to the unit as may be permitted by legislative appropriation.
B. The police employees of the unit shall have the same duties and powers as are provided for other police employees of the office in R.S. 40:1379 and such other duties and rank as are assigned by the deputy secretary.