Heitkamp commemorates AMO’s 10th anniversary

Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) announced the success of her bipartisan resolution on Thursday to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the creation of the Air and Marine Operations (AMO).

AMO oversees a facility at Grand Forks Air Force Base, opened in 2009, and uses manned and unmanned aircraft to monitor the region. The location also serves as a training facility for UAS pilots and crews.

“For a decade, Custom and Border Protection’s Air and Marine Operations, including at Grand Forks Air Force Base, has been committed to keeping our borders safe and standing by the region in the face of natural disasters and emergencies, like severe floods,” Heitkamp said. “In addition…the investment made in UAS training at Grand Forks’ Air Force Base AMO has helped support the region’s growing and cutting-edge UAS industry. That’s why I introduced and helped pass this bipartisan resolution to honor the great work done by AMO – and I’ll continue to fight for needed investments and support for the agencies and organizations committed to keeping our families and communities strong and safe.”

AMO serves as part of Customs and Border Protection under the Department of Homeland Security.

Nine other senators joined Heitkamp in honoring the AMO’s anniversary, including Sens. Tom Carper (D-DE), Tom Udall (D-NM), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), James Lankford (R-OK), Gary Peters (D-MI), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Patty Murray (D-WA), Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Susan Collins (R-ME).