Skip to main content

An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

  • Archived Content
    In an effort to keep CBP.gov current, the archive contains content from a previous administration or is otherwise outdated.
  1. Home
  2. Newsroom
  3. National Media Release
  4. Multiple CBP Air and Marine Operations Crews Help Hurricane Matthew Relief Efforts while Resuming Normal Operations in the Southeast Region

Multiple CBP Air and Marine Operations Crews Help Hurricane Matthew Relief Efforts while Resuming Normal Operations in the Southeast Region

Release Date
Thu, 10/13/2016

WASHINGTON – When Hurricane Matthew struck late last week, aircraft and crews from U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP), Air and Marine Operations (AMO) immediately launched across the country to assist with relief efforts.

CBP Air and Marine Operations crew in the air assisting with relief efforts.
CBP Air and Marine Operations crew in
the air assisting with relief efforts.

Three UH-60 Black Hawk crews and a C-550 Citation crew flew from Tucson, Arizona, to Columbia, South Carolina, while AS350 A-Star crews from Spokane, Washington, and Buffalo, New York, arrived to assist as well.  Since Friday, they have collectively flown more than 220 hours throughout North and South Carolina.

AMO has two senior leaders serving as Air Operations Incident Commanders and liaisons for local emergency operation centers in Columbia, South Carolina — where the aircraft and crews are positioned — and Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina.

The UH-60 crews are collecting aerial footage of damaged areas and the vicinity of levees, as North Carolina is forecasted to have extensive record flood waters for several more days. The AS350 crew is conducting a damage assessment analysis and the C-550 crew is providing logistical support flights as needed.

On October 9, an AMO DHC-8 aircrew from the Miami Air and Marine Branch evacuated and relocated 17 CBP personnel, their dependents, and a pet from Freeport, Bahamas, to Homestead Air Reserve Base due to significant damage to their homes and offices caused by Hurricane Matthew.

CBP Air and Marine Operations from the air and sea.
CBP Air and Marine Operations from the
air and sea.

“Our sincerest thoughts are with those who have suffered a devastating loss during this time,” said Randolph D. Alles, Executive Assistant Commissioner for AMO. “The dozens of AMO employees, including pilots and support personnel, who are tirelessly supporting this effort are tangible examples of AMO’s commitment to serve and protect the American people.”

Amidst the ongoing hurricane relief AMO is conducting, they are also resuming operations at several offices, including those in Jacksonville, Florida; Miami, Florida; and St. Augustine, Florida.

For local updates on Air and Marine Operations, follow @CBPFlorida on Twitter.

VIDEO: Air and Marine Operations UH-60 Black Hawk crew

Air and Marine Operations is a federal law enforcement organization dedicated to serving and protecting the American people through advanced aeronautical and maritime capabilities.

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: Feb 03, 2021