“The Great Falls Air Branch will provide an important means of patrolling and providing surveillance and intelligence on remote crossing points,” said Michael Kostelnik, Assistant Commissioner, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Air and Marine. “The speed and accessibility provided by aircraft will ensure a routine presence in locations rarely patrolled by conventional ground transportation.”  

At full capacity, the Great Falls Air Branch will consist of 52 federal law enforcement officers, pilots, aircrew and mission support personnel from the Office of Air and Marine, a division of CBP. Branch assets include two apprehension aircraft (UH-60 Blackhawk), two interdiction aircraft (Cessna 550, Citation II), and one surveillance support aircraft (Pilatus PC-12). The Great Falls Air Branch will conduct regular mission patrols and is equipped for rapid incident response.

 “I have been in constant contact with CBP officials and the Great Falls community at every step of this process,” said Senator Conrad Burns. “We’ve worked hard to bring the Air Wing to Great Falls, working with the federal government to bring the assets to the airport, bringing these jobs to this community, and improving our northern border security against terrorists, immigration and narcotics. Today’s event is an opportunity for Great Falls to see how our efforts have paid off.”  

"The Great Falls Air Wing is positioned to be an integral part in securing the northern border," U.S. Representative, Dennis Rehberg, said. "With continued congressional support, the Air Wing will play a major role in securing Montana's expansive border with Canada and preventing illegal activity in that area. Ensuring Montana's residents and infrastructure are as safe as they can be from terrorist attack is obviously a top priority of mine and the Air Wing will help us meet that goal," he added.  

CBP opened the first two branches at Bellingham, Washington and Plattsburg, New York in 2004. The fourth and fifth will be located in Grand, Forks, North Dakota, and Detroit, Michigan.  

The Great Falls Air Branch adds another layer to Montana’s border. With more than 35 years experience in air and marine law enforcement and interdiction, CBP will employ many of the same enforcement and interdiction capabilities that have been employed for decades along the border, coordinating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Canadian authorities, and U.S. state and local law enforcement. 

Senator Max Baucus who could not attend the event, expressed his support stating “Boosting security and strengthening our Northern Border is one of my top priorities. That’s why I was so pleased to work together with Homeland Security personnel in Montana and in Washington to help secure funding to help get the Northern Border Security Air Wing base up and running in Great Falls. I commend the Office Air and Marine for all of their hard work and dedication in making today possible. This new air wing base will be a great asset to our homeland security operations.”

 - CBP -

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.

Contacts For This News Release