The Program Executive Office Aviation celebrated a significant milestone with a transfer of ownership ceremony in Meridianville, Alabama, marking the delivery of the tenth modified UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). This handover underscores the U.S. government’s commitment to border protection as a pivotal aspect of national security.
Brig. Gen. David Phillips, Program Executive Officer for Aviation, remarked, “This delivery represents more than just a milestone. It symbolizes our shared commitment to national security and our unwavering support for the men and women who serve on the front lines safeguarding our borders and protecting the American public.”
The Army’s UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters have been critical in supporting CBP’s Air and Marine Operations (AMO), enhancing their ability to conduct missions across the nation’s borders. Phillips highlighted the advanced capabilities of these aircraft, which have undergone tailored modifications to enhance their operational effectiveness significantly.
The partnership between the Army and CBP has flourished over nearly four decades. This collaboration began in 1988 when the Army replaced the aging UH-1 Huey models with 16 UH-60A Black Hawks, transforming CBP’s aviation capabilities. In 2007, the Army further modernized the fleet by procuring and modifying four new UH-60M Black Hawks, equipping them with over 19 tailored enhancements, including high-resolution sensors to elevate threat detection during air-ground operations.
Since 2015, CBP’s Black Hawk helicopters have logged over 55,000 flight hours, conducting more than 21,000 flights and supporting nearly 6,500 enforcement missions at the southern border. “Black Hawk helicopters are among the most versatile and effective assets used by AMO,” stated Keith Jones, Deputy Executive Assistant Commissioner for AMO, emphasizing the partnership with the Utility Helicopters Project Office and the Aviation and Missile Center Prototype Integration Facility in enhancing the fleet.
In 2014, the Army and CBP launched a joint initiative to procure 15 additional UH-60L Black Hawk helicopters, with a focus on modernizing and standardizing CBP’s aviation fleet. This effort has had a lasting impact on the agency’s operations and will play a crucial role in future border security strategies.
Recent engagements have identified opportunities for enhancements, including the development of a modular mission equipment package for improved communication. This advancement aims to strengthen coordination between the U.S. Army and the Department of Homeland Security, bolstering efforts to secure the southern border.
As challenges at the border evolve and technology advances, the Army and CBP continue to explore avenues for procuring additional Black Hawk helicopters, ensuring that CBP remains equipped with the latest aircraft and mission capabilities necessary for effective border security operations.
