State Police Sergeant and Shelby County resident promoted to Lieutenant as Aviation Commander

Monday, August 10, 2026 at 9:40 AM

By Staff report

Indiana State Police Superintendent Anthony Scott has recently announced the promotion of Sergeant David A. Ploog to the rank of Lieutenant. Lt. Ploog will serve as the Indiana State Police Aviation Unit Commander within the Special Operations Command, Strategic Response, where he will oversee all aviation personnel, aircraft operations, and the small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) program management.
Ploog, a native of Indianapolis, is a 2002 graduate of Arsenal Technical High School. He later earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Emergency Response Management with a focus in Homeland Security from Indiana Technical Institute. On March 16, 2012, Ploog graduated from the 71st Indiana State Police Recruit Academy and was appointed as a Trooper assigned to the Indianapolis Post, where he served for five years.
In July 2017, he was promoted and joined the Central SWAT Team. Throughout his career, he has also served as a member of the Underwater Search and Recovery Team, participated in the Honor Guard, and instructs Tactical Medicine as a National Registered Emergency Medical Technician. In July 2022, Ploog was promoted into the Aviation Unit to serve as a Pilot.
Ploog has served in the Indiana Army National Guard since July 2001, beginning his military career as an infantryman before transitioning into aviation as a pilot. He currently holds the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 4 and is a UH‑60M Black Hawk Pilot in the 38^th Combat Aviation Brigade. Over the course of his service, he has four combat deployments, supporting missions in both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Spartan Shield. In addition to his combat and leadership experience overseas, Ploog played a key role in domestic disaster response efforts, assisting in relief operations in Florida during Operation Hurricane Irma, where his aviation expertise supported critical rescue, transport, and humanitarian missions. Ploog is a Certified Flight Instructor with Instrument rating and Night Vision Goggle endorsed trainer that holds a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.
As a seasoned and highly experienced pilot, Lt. Ploog is known for his commitment to continual improvement and his passion for supporting law enforcement and public safety from the air. His leadership will further strengthen the capabilities of the Indiana State Police Aviation Unit as it continues to serve communities across Indiana.