P-3 AEWs are high-endurance, all-weather, turbo-prop aircraft with a distinctive rotating radar dome atop their backs. Each of these aircraft is outfitted with AN/APS 138/145 radar, enabling it to detect and monitor aircraft activity over a radius of several hundred miles. Staffed by a crew of eight, including a pilot, co-pilot, flight engineer, and five radar/sensor operators, the P-3 AEW is the only non-military, law enforcement AEW aircraft operating in the world.

These aircraft have traditionally been, and continue to be, used by ICE to detect and monitor airborne drug smuggling over the Caribbean and the southern United States. In recent years, however, the P-3s have also been deployed with increasing frequency to support domestic air security operations, covering sensitive events and critical areas in the U.S. P-3 AEW support to domestic air security missions has grown dramatically since 9/11.

Though unannounced, the ICE P-3s began their 24-hour radar coverage over the Northern Border region some two weeks ago as part of Operation Liberty Shield. Operation Liberty Shield is a nationwide initiative by the Department of Homeland Security to enhance protections for America’s citizens and infrastructure, while maintaining the legitimate flow of goods and people across U.S. borders.

“The presence of these sophisticated aircraft in the skies above our cities gives us one more layer of protection against potential terrorist attacks,” Acting Assistant Secretary Garcia said. “ICE and all agencies within the Department of Homeland Security will continue to build additional layers of protection to further enhance U.S. security.”

While supporting Operation Liberty Shield, the P-3 patrols are also complementing the related, but more focused air security mission in the New York City metropolitan area.

On March 24, ICE UH-60A Black Hawk helicopters, AS-350 A-Star helicopters, and Cessna Citation II jets began patrolling restricted airspace over the New York metropolitan area. This operation is being coordinated by the Air & Marine Interdiction and Coordination Center (AMICC) in Riverside, California, where detection system specialists scrutinize live radar feeds from the New York area to detect unauthorized intrusions into the restricted airspace.

While the operation in New York continues, the P-3s are monitoring the Northern Border region, including approaches to the New York City metropolitan area. Should the P-3s detect a suspicious aircraft heading toward restricted airspace in the New York City metropolitan area, the crew will coordinate a “hand off” of this aircraft to AMICC, which will then begin tracking it.

Since ICE helicopters and jets began patrolling the restricted airspace in the New York metropolitan area, they have detected numerous unauthorized intrusions. All of these intrusions turned out to be private pilots who mistakenly veered into the restricted airspace. In many instances, ICE aircraft have had to intercept these planes and escort them out of the airspace. The FAA determines the appropriate sanctions for such pilots.

ICE encourages private pilots who intend to fly in and around the New York City metropolitan area to consult with the FAA on the specifications and rules governing the restricted airspace before flying.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security, responsible for the enforcement of border, economic, infrastructure and transportation security laws. ICE seeks to prevent acts of terrorism by targeting the people, money and materials that support terrorist and criminal activities.