Photo Credit: James Tourtellotte	JANUARY On January 27, 2003, Customs pilots became the first line of defense in protecting the perimeter of airspace over the nation's capital. On January 24, 2003, Secretary Tom Ridge announced the creation of the new Department of Homeland Security.
Photo Credit: James Tourtellotte

FEBRUARY In early February 2003, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge spoke to many of the new employees of DHS as he toured the Port of Miami and the Miami International Airport.

Photo Credit: James Tourtellotte

Photo Credit: Gerald L. Nino

MARCH On March 3, 2003, the U.S. Border Patrol transfers its flag from legacy Immigration and Naturalization Service to Commissioner Robert C. Bonner.(l-r): Commissioner Bonner, CBP; Chief Gustavo de la Vina, U.S. Border Patrol; Assistant Secretary Michael J. Garcia, ICE; and the U.S. Border Patrol Honor Guard. New U.S. Customs and Border Protection team at Dulles International Airport. Back row, l-r: Supervisory Immigration Inspector Maiby Ho, Customs Inspector Khalil Ismail, and Agricultural Quarantine Inspection Officer Diyanna Yousofu. Front row, l-r: Senior Inspector Steven Greskovic and Agricultural Quarantine Inspection Officer Irfan Faizi.

Photo Credit: Gerald L. Nino

APRIL Full-time CBP employee and reservist, Lee Sepulvado, sits on a Bradley Fighting Vehicle that his unit handed off to the 3rd Infantry Division at Camp Arifjan in Kuwait. Hundreds of CBP employees are reservists serving their country in the Middle East.

Photo Credit: James Tourtellotte	MAY CBP Border Patrol BORSTAR (Border Patrol Search Trauma and Rescue Team) team members effect a difficult rescue in the extreme conditions of a Texas desert.CBP Commissioner Robert C. Bonner announces the Border Safety Initiative, to address the growing concern over injuries and fatalities along the border
Photo Credit: Gerald L. Nino

JUNE On June 12, 2003, CBP Commissioner Robert C. Bonner with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge and New Jersey Governor James McGreevey at the Port of Newark discuss Phase II of the Container Security Initiative (CSI).