see also: in August 2004:   Stowaway Found in Crate Aboard Cargo Flight From Bahamas   DHS SEVIS Program Ramps Up For Fall Semester   U.S. Customs and Border Protection Vows a Total Commitment to Professionalism   U.S. Customs and Border Protection Achieves Container Security Initiative (CSI) Milestone Of 25 Operational Ports   CBP Border Patrol Interdicts Tractor-Trailer at County Checkpoint   U.S. Customs and Border Protection Announces New Border Patrol Academy   U.S. Customs and Border Protection announces that port of Tanjung Pelepas becomes 25th Container Security Initiative (CSI) port to go operational ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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Washington, DC – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has unveiled a new look for its Border Patrol helicopters patrolling America’s international boundaries. The first helicopter with the new DHS branding has been rolled out to the Border Patrol’s Air and Marine headquarters, located in El Paso, Texas.

The first helicopter with the new DHS branding has been rolled out to the Border Patrol’s Air and Marine headquarters, located in El Paso, Texas.

“Since the tragic events of 9/11, one of the most profound and important changes in government has been the combining of Immigration, Customs and Agriculture Inspectors with the Border Patrol. This single face at the border, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, is responsible for safeguarding our nation’s borders from terrorists and terrorist weapons,” said U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Robert C. Bonner. “Today, U.S. Customs and Border Protection takes another visible public step in this unified effort by unveiling the Department of Homeland Security seal and CBP markings on our aircraft. The air enforcement efforts of CBP are a significant component in our uniform border strategy and a symbol of our efforts to keep this nation safe and secure.”

Approximately 115 CBP Border Patrol aircraft, both fixed wing and rotor, patrol the 6,000+ miles of land and sea borders in the continental United States and Puerto Rico. Valued force multipliers, CBP Border Patrol aircraft routinely assist in search and rescue missions, provide critical surveillance platforms, can control radio communications vital to agent safety while on station, and help enforcement components safely pursue dangerous criminals along interstates and metropolitan roadways taking high-risk vehicle pursuits out of the enforcement equation.

CBP Border Patrol has several different types of rotary wing aircraft in commission across the United States ranging from Vietnam era OH-6As (Light Observation Helicopters) and UH-1Hs “Hueys” (Medium Lift Helicopters) to the more modern AS350B3 "A Star" helicopter which, is currently the preferred aerial platform for Border Patrol operations. Under Commissioner Bonner’s Re-Capitalization Plan, the older aircraft will begin to be phased out in an effort to replace the 40+-year-old fleet with newer technologies, a process that will take several years.

As a consequence, only the newer “A Stars” will receive the recently highlighted DHS branding design. CBP Border Patrol is the first agency to demonstrate the new paint and marking scheme.

All CBP Border Patrol pilots were field agents first. Now as pilots, they lend experience and expertise to law enforcement operations unique within the Department of Homeland Security. Pilots who have experienced the hazards of operating over rugged terrain, enduring severe climates, in remote locations without back-up or immediate support know all too well the level of dedication that is required of Border Patrol line agents. Thus, roughly 80% of CBP Border Patrol flight hours are spent in direct mission support.

“No other law enforcement aviation operation in the world gets as much return for the taxpayers’ dollar,” stated Border Patrol Chief David Aguilar. “Our success is largely based upon the fact that our pilots are Border Patrol Agents who perform their duties from the air in concert with Border Patrol Agents on the ground or on the water. They intimately understand each other’s tactics and mission, making a team that is unparalleled anywhere. Our Air Operations Unit is a trusted ally in support of other law enforcement agencies throughout the nation in the national security effort.”

In fiscal year 2003, CBP Border Patrol aircraft accumulated more than 44,000 flight hours, apprehending 79,512 persons (almost 2 arrests per flight hour) and was instrumental in seizing an average of $214,000 (estimated street value) of illegal narcotics every day. When comparing the costs to benefits based solely on narcotics enforcement; CBP Border Patrol aircraft seized an average of $1,775 of illegal narcotics for every hour spent in the air – cost to operate a Border Patrol helicopter: $300-$600 an hour depending on the type of aircraft. In terms of overall border enforcement, the benefit CBP Border Patrol Air and Marine Operations lends toward facilitating CBP’s primary mission, to prevent terrorists and terrorist weapons from entering the United States, is immeasurable.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) 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.