see also: in June 2005 Press Releases:   U.S. Customs and Border Protection Trains Dogs to Detect Drugs and Humans   U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers Seize 132 Pounds of Cocaine, 134 Pounds of Heroin in Coffee Cans   CBP Border Patrol Arrests Murder Suspect Using Anti-Terror Technology   U.S. Customs and Border Protection Seizes Thousands of Illegal Fireworks   CBP Officers Find Marijuana After Sentri Participant Absconds from Car   CBP Border Patrol Agents Seize 261 Pounds Of Ecstasy   United States' Schmitz is Elected to Director at the World Customs Organization ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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Yuma, AZ –U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) National Border Patrol Chief David V. Aguilar today, transferred command of the Yuma Sector from Chief Patrol Agent Michael C. Nicley to Chief Patrol Agent Ronald S. Colburn. More than 200 people, from the local community and across the nation, attended the ceremony held at the Yuma Civic and Convention Center. In addition, CBP Border Patrol agents received the first Department of Homeland Security law enforcement badges within the Yuma Sector.

The Change of Command Ceremony derives from military tradition. It represents the formal and symbolic passing of responsibility, authority, and accountability of command. Chief Aguilar assisted Mrs. Debbie Colburn and Rogan S. Colburn, Chief Patrol Agent Colburn’s son who is a Border Patrol Agent, in pinning the new U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Chief Patrol Agent badge on Chief Colburn.

“In his career, Chief Patrol Agent Colburn has dedicated over 27 years of service to his country and to the Border Patrol,” said Chief Aguilar. He added, “Chief Patrol Agent Colburn’s family legacy of service to this Nation, being the third of four generations of Border Patrol agents, is unique and to be commended.”

During his brief comments to those in attendance, Chief Colburn said plans are underway to double the size of local border security efforts with the addition of agents, more aircraft including unmanned aerial vehicles, a ground radar system and upcoming secondary fencing near the San Luis port-of-entry. Of this build-up, Colburn said, “These efforts signify the metaphoric sound of hoof beats and trumpets in the distance…and the reassurance that reinforcements are on the way.”

Chief Patrol Agent Colburn most recently served as the Senior Associate Chief of Southern Border Operations at the Headquarters Office of Border Patrol, in U.S. Customs and Border Protection, a bureau within the Department of Homeland Security. From 2002 to 2003, Chief Colburn completed a one-year tour of duty as the Director of Law Enforcement, Homeland Security Council, at the White House. In that capacity, he was responsible for the development of policy implementation of Homeland Security and national law enforcement initiatives on behalf of the Executive Office of the President of the United States.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control, and protection of our Nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.