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CBP forms new border security unit U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has launched its new Great Falls Air Branch, based in Great Falls, Montana near the border with Canada. As the third of five planned facilities, the new branch will strengthen CBP’s northern border security capabilities with a range of air and marine law enforcement, surveillance and airspace security activities. At full capacity, the Great Falls Air Branch will consist of 52 federal law enforcement officers, pilots, aircrew and mission support personnel from the Office of Air and Marine, a division of CBP. Branch assets include two apprehender aircraft (UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters), two interdiction aircraft (Cessna 550, Citation II) and one surveillance support aircraft (a Pilatus PC-12). The branch will conduct regular mission patrols and is equipped for rapid incident response. "The Great Falls Air Branch will provide an important means of patrolling and providing surveillance and intelligence on remote crossing points," said Michael Kostelnik, assistant commissioner at CBP’s Office of Air and Marine. "The speed and accessibility provided by aircraft will ensure a routine presence in locations rarely patrolled by conventional ground transportation." |
