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  4. AMO Memorializes OH-6 Helicopter with Donation to Border Patrol Museum

AMO Memorializes OH-6 Helicopter with Donation to Border Patrol Museum

Release Date
Thu, 10/10/2019

WASHINGTON — U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations (AMO) delivered an OH-6A helicopter to the National Border Patrol Museum in El Paso, Texas, Sept. 18.

Helicopter is displayed
AMO delivered this OH-6A to National Border Patrol
Museum in El Paso, Texas.

U.S. Border Patrol and AMO used the OH-6A, single engine, light helicopter to protect our nation’s borders from 1979 until 2011.

“This helicopter means a great deal to me personally, as a Vietnam veteran, I flew in them in Vietnam, and knowing its brave history in that conflict, it is especially gratifying to have it to display,” said Border Patrol Museum director, David Ham. “This helicopter has an equally proud history with the United States Border Patrol. We feel it would be a proud representative of the brave men and women who have flown her for the United States Border Patrol."

Due to its historical value, the National Border Patrol Museum so that it could be a static display to serve as a memorial to Border Patrol aviation agents, for their service and dedication.

An AMO aviation maintenance operator, supported by the maintenance contractor PAE, spent more than 240 hours restoring the identified aircraft. The aircraft was in pieces, covered in years’ worth of dust, was missing some parts and required removal of other parts.

"It is our great honor to have been able to acquire, restore, and deliver this aircraft to the museum,” said Materiel Readiness aircraft manager, Daryl Carter. “The Office of Air and Marine, now Air and Marine Operations, has a long and celebrated partnership with the U.S. Border Patrol, to protect our nation and serve the American people.”

With approximately 1,800 federal agents and mission support personnel, 240 aircraft, and 300 marine vessels operating throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands, AMO conducts its mission in the air and maritime environments at and beyond the border, and within the nation's interior.

AMO interdicts unlawful people and cargo approaching U.S. borders, investigates criminal networks and provides domain awareness in the air and maritime environments, and responds to contingencies and national taskings.

In Fiscal Year 2018, AMO enforcement actions resulted in the approximate seizure or disruption of 283,503 pounds of cocaine; 301,553 pounds of marijuana; 180,444 pounds of methamphetamine; 872 weapons and $34.2 million; 2,373 arrests and 47,744 apprehensions of illegal aliens.

To learn more about how AMO secures the nation, click here.

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 official ports of entry. CBP is charged with securing the borders of the United States while enforcing hundreds of laws and facilitating lawful trade and travel.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021