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Arizona CBP Air and Marine Resources to Aid in Hurricane Relief Efforts

Release Date: 
October 7, 2016

TUCSON, Ariz. — Aircraft and personnel from U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Air and Marine Operations, Tucson Air Branch, are headed to the East Coast to support recovery and rescue operations in response to Hurricane Matthew.

A UH-60L Black Hawk crew from the Tucson Air Branch ready for a cross-country trip to aid in the Hurricane Matthew relief efforts
A UH-60L Black Hawk crew from the Tucson
Air Branch ready for a cross-country trip to
aid in the Hurricane Matthew relief efforts

Hurricane Matthew has overwhelmed state government resources, prompting requests for federal assistance to supplement ongoing disaster relief activities.

According to Mitch Pribble, director of the Tucson Air Branch, three hoist-capable UH-60L Black Hawk helicopters and two CE550 Citation fixed-wing aircraft, along with 21 pilots and nine support personnel, departed Tucson today to provide assistance. “CBP’s participation is an integral part of the overall DHS response,” he said.

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.

Last modified: 
February 9, 2017
Tags: 
Air and Marine
Search and Rescue
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