Washington, D.C.—Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) secured $27.4 million for a new Air and Marine Operations (AMO) hangar facility in Laredo, TX in the fiscal year 2021 Homeland Security Appropriations bill. This new facility will include administrative, operational, and hangar space; aircraft and vehicle parking; and other necessary site improvements to meet CBP’s mission. The hangar facility will be the first phase in creating a campus for Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the South Texas region, per the Congressman’s language in the fiscal year 2019 Homeland Security Appropriations bill.

“It is critical that our Nation’s leading aviation and maritime law enforcement agency has the necessary resources to safeguard the southern border,” said Congressman Cuellar. “That’s why since 2015, I have been working with both the City of Laredo and CBP to create a campus for CBP and ICE so they can effectively complete its mission. This new hangar facility, the first phase of the campus, will help CBP train its agent to anticipate and confront security threats. As the Vice Chair of the Homeland Security on Appropriations, I will continue to support Customs and Border Patrol and fund them the necessary resources for our country’s national security.”

“I would like to thank Appropriations Chairwoman Lowey and Ranking Member Granger, as well as Homeland Security Subcommittee Chairwoman Roybal-Allard and Ranking Member Fleischmann for helping me include the $27.4 million for a new Air and Marine Operations (AMO) hangar facility in Laredo.”

The CBP Laredo Air Branch currently has a 2-year lease at the Laredo International Airport, but according to CBP, the current facility is inadequate for their operations. This new hangar facility will provide space for aircraft storage, mechanic maintenance, and administrative space for CBP operations. The new facility will include two 24,000 square feet hangars and an administration office building. AMO currently has a 10,000 square foot hangar with 4,000 square foot of office space, which fits a combination of 6 AS350 ASTAR and EC120 helicopters in the hangar.  The new complex for the future to be able to house large multi-engine fixed wing aircraft and medium lift helicopters. CBP will be able to hire and support more Air and Marine pilots, mechanics and support staff in the new facility.

Congressman Cuellar secured language in the fiscal year 2019 Homeland Security Appropriations bill that allows the Department of Homeland Security to assess the feasibility of establishing a unified headquarters for CBP and ICE operational components in the South Texas region.

In February 2018, Congressman Cuellar and former Acting Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Kevin McAleenan, former Laredo Sector Border Patrol (A) Chief Jason Owens, former Laredo Director of Field Operations David Higgerson, and Laredo Air and Marine Operations Director Gordon Price, met and agreed to pursue constructing a “DHS Campus” with a new Air and Marine Operation (AMO) Hangar facility as the first stage. In March 2018, Congressman Cuellar and the City of Laredo met with CBP to discuss the project and former Commissioner McAleenan committed to sending the head of facilities to Laredo to jump start the program. Finally, in October 2018, CBP signed a planning and development Memorandum of understanding with the City of Laredo regarding the proposed Laredo Campus Project. 

Air and Marine Operation (AMO) protects the American people and Nation’s critical infrastructure through the coordinated use of air and marine assets to detect, interdict and prevent acts of terrorism and the unlawful movement of people, illegal drugs, and other contraband toward or across the borders of the United States.

To see a site plan of the hanger facility, click here.

To see photos of AMO’s new facility Yuma, AZ, which the facility in Laredo, TX will resemble, click here.