see also: in March 2004:   CBP Border Patrol Seizes Over 273 Pounds of Cocaine   CBP Border Patrol Seizes Over 2,800 Pounds of Marijuana   U.S. Customs And Border Protection Commissioner Robert C. Bonner Hails Supreme Court's Pro Border Search Ruling   CBP Border Patrol Seizes Over 2,800 Pounds of Marijuana   CBP Border Patrol Seizes $2.5 Million in Drugs   San Ysidro Port of Entry to Test New Procedure For Issuance of I-94 Permits to Mexican Travelers. ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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Washington, DC - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Robert C. Bonner during a small ceremony today, recognized Senior Patrol Agents James E. Bunner Jr. of the Spokane Sector and Raymond M. Overholt of the Tucson Sector for their heroic efforts in rescuing twenty-two civilians from an MI-8 helicopter that crashed deep in the Kyrgyz mountains near the Chinese border.

"This was the first time that Border Patrol agents assisted in Export Control and Border Security training (EXBS), and the expertise that they bring to this international program is obviously invaluable. Their experience guarding the open spaces of the U.S. border is instrumental in their ability to train our EXBS partners in border security, and was critical in the search and rescue of 22 civilians," said Commissioner Bonner. "The heroic actions taken by these two Border Patrol agents demonstrates their dedication and commitment to preserving the sanctity of human life. Their swift actions and decisive thinking allowed them to successfully accomplish this dramatic and dangerous rescue."

The CBP agents were in Kyrgyzstan providing training on snowmobile operations to the Ministry of Ecology and Emergency situation (MChS) personnel. CBP Border Patrol agents were in the area to donate seven snowmobiles and conduct training for MChS personnel in support of Export Control and Border Security (EXBS).

Initially, agent's Bunner, Overholt, and EXBS Program Advisor Barry Johnson who were in the area on a training mission were contacted and responded to a request for assistance in locating the group of stranded hunters. The two agents along with Johnson were successful in locating the stranded hunters at which time an air rescue was coordinated to extract them.

It was only after the initial rescue, and while returning to their base camp near Naryn that Johnson informed the agents that the helicopter that had originally evacuated the twenty-two stranded hunters moments earlier had crashed. The helicopter crash occurred shortly after take off as the heavily loaded MI-8 helicopter containing twenty-four passengers, crew, hunting trophies and all their equipment struggled to lift off the ground in the remote mountainous area.

The helicopter crashed on a decreasing slope and upon impact rolled several times, ejecting some of the occupants before breaking into pieces. Upon notification, the two CBP Border Patrol agents combined with Embassy personnel, as well as other local and federal agencies, initiated emergency rescue efforts for the downed helicopter, its crew, and passengers.

"I would like to commend Senior Patrol Agents James E. Bunner Jr. and Raymond M. Overholt. They went far beyond the call of duty in their service to a group of wounded people who are alive today only because of their selflessness. They have made all of us in this mission very proud and have reflected honor on the United States in this country," said Ambassador Stephen M. Young.

The (EXBS) program is the United States premiere initiate to help foreign governments improve their export control systems thus preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction. The multimillion-dollar State Department sponsored CBP managed program operates in over 40 countries and has in place 20 advisors at U.S. embassies

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is the agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the protection of our nation's borders. CBP unified Customs, Immigration, and Agriculture Inspectors and the Border Patrol into one border agency for the United States