In the first joint U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and U.S. National Guard mission near the southern border, three Missouri Guard aviators and a CBP agent provided aerial reconnaissance support for CBP agents on the ground in the Tucson area on May 17.
The first aviation mission of Operation Guardian Support was initiated when CBP agents on the ground requested aerial support while attempting to stop a vehicle transporting five individuals in the desert. The driver refused to stop, resulting in a pursuit east of Ajo, Arizona.
“Border Patrol agents stopped the vehicle, and a foot chase ensued,” a CBP release stated. ”The joint aircrew tracked and located the fleeing suspects from the air and guided ground units to their location. Agents are returning to law enforcement activities along the border as soldiers and airmen fill support and administration roles sending agents back to the border.”
CBP anticipates that additional aviation assets will be deployed to the region soon under Operational Guardian Support. Plans call for an increased aviation schedule, overflight support for agents on the ground, and for National Guard aviators to gain real-world experience.