see also: in January 2005 Press Releases:   U.S. Customs and Border Protection Reinstates Testing of the Automated Commercial Environment at Blaine   CBP Officers Seize Almost Six Tons of Marijuana at Otay Mesa   Compliance Date for Implementation of FAST Card Requirement for BRASS Shipment Drivers Begins May 1   Personal Radiation Detectors Alert U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers to Radioactive Emission   Port of Calexico to Employ High-Tech Security Equipment   FY 2004: U.S. Customs and Border Protection Apprehends Large Amount of Narcotics, Thousands of Undocumented Migrants ...more on cbp.gov:   Press Officers   CBP News Releases

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Tucson, AZ –Today, U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) National Border Patrol Chief, David V. Aguilar will transfer command of the Tucson Sector to Chief Patrol Agent Michael C. Nicley at a ceremony held at the Tucson Holiday Inn Palo Verde.

“Today’s Change of Command ceremony is historic and lays the foundation for the future,” said David Aguilar, Chief of the Border Patrol. “In his career, Chief Patrol Agent Nicley has dedicated over 24-years of service to his country and to the Border Patrol. Under his leadership, I am confident that each and every one of you will continue to serve our Nation with dignity and honor.”

This Change of Command Ceremony is rich in military history and is the formal and symbolic passing of responsibility, authority, and accountability of command from one Chief to another.

Although the ceremony is the turnover of responsibility from one Chief to another, it provides the outgoing Chief the opportunity to say goodbye to the officers. It also provides an opportunity for the new commanding officer to meet his new personnel.

Chief Aguilar assumed command of the Office of Border Patrol in Washington, DC on July 1, 2004. Michael C. Nicley had been Acting Chief Patrol Agent for the Tucson Sector since Aguilar’s departure.

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.