Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) included a provision in the fiscal year 2012 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill that urges the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to examine the need for an alternate base of operations at a southwest border location.  At present, frequently changing weather conditions and strict air regulations affect unmanned aircraft operations conducted by Customs and Border Protection. The bill passed in the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 231 to 188.

“Currently, unmanned aircraft operations for southwest border missions are located at Fort Huachuca in Sierra Vista, Arizona, and the Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi, Texas,” Congressman Cuellar said. “This provision calls for an alternate base of operations in an airfield on the southwest border which would reduce the frequent weather-related lapses required for constant surveillance while strengthening security along our southwest border and maritime coast.”

The provision calls for the Department of Homeland Security to thoroughly investigate the impact that weather has on providing the constant surveillance necessary for protecting the country at international borders and asks for the establishment of an alternate base of operations as well as additional landing and support services at southwest border locations.  The provision also requests the Department of Homeland Security to work with the Department of Defense to obtain information and provide demonstrations on surveillance systems that can operate along the southwest border.

“In recognition that the Department of Defense is supporting the development and deployment of similar technology, this provision asks the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Defense to work together to secure the border,” Congressman Cuellar said. “The Department of Homeland Security would implement this technology along the southwest border to better identify threats associated with transnational criminal organizations, drug smugglers and potential threats -- across a variety of land terrains and maritime scenes,” Congressman Cuellar said.

The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.