Congressman Cuellar helps secure $33.5 million for Operation and Support of Tactical Aerostats and Re-Locatable Towers for Border Security
WASHINGTON –Today,Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX-28) announced he helped secure funding in the Fiscal Year 2017 House Homeland Security Appropriations bill that would provide $33.5 million for the operation and support of five tactical aerostats and 17 re-locatable towers that are being deployed by the U.S. Border Patrol to the Rio Grande Valley and Laredo to enhance their situational awareness and persistent surveillance capability.
Each re-locatable tower and tactical aerostat system with payloads of infrared and high-resolution cameras, deliver immediate real-time day/night imagery that assist the Border Patrol with detecting, identifying, classifying, and tracking cross-border activity in high traffic areas along the U.S.-Mexico border.
The 5 Tactical aerostats with operational altitudes of up to 5,000 ft. and 17 re-locatable towers have the combined capability of providing the Border Patrol with real-time monitoring of over 24,000 square miles and 400 linear border miles.
Tactical aerostats have been transferred to U.S. Customs and Border Protection from the Department of Defense following use by U.S. forces for the protection of forward operating bases in Iraq and Afghanistan.
As a member of the House Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee, Congressman Cuellar supports collaborative efforts between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to better secure border communities. The use of innovative technological advancements at the border is imperative for increasing situational awareness, identifying surveillance gaps, and addressing the complex safety and security threats.
“Representing the border, I understand the importance of border security,” Congressman Cuellar said. “I have consistently supported the development of innovative policy solutions to address border security threats to ensure our border communities are safe. I am pleased that the Committee will provide the CBP with the funds necessary to support border patrol in South Texas and hope that we will continue to utilize forward-thinking measures, including advanced technology and training to address border security threats. I thank Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman John Carter (R-TX-31) and Ranking Member Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA-40), for their help in adding this funding.”
Congressman Henry Cuellar is a member of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee. Previously, he served as a Texas State Representative and Texas Secretary of State.
