Border security by air: the role of Air and Marine Operations

Customs and Border Protection is re-branding its air service as Air and Marine Operations.

They assist Border Patrol and other law enforcement agencies by providing a birds’ eye view of the borderland.

The name change took place in October, but CBP is hoping to bring attention to the unit’s contributions to border security, drug interdiction and terrorism prevention.

“The new title, Air and Marine Operations, better describes what we do as an agency,” said Director of Air Operations Rudy Maldonado. “We’re one of the only agencies in the country that does what we do. We use aviation assets and marine or maritime assets to conduct law enforcement operations.”

ABC-7 was allowed to fly with the Air and Marine Operations team over El Paso. Watch the border from their perspective on ABC-7 at Five and Six.