April 27th 2015 – Today, in a press release regarding border security for fiscal year 2015, Secretary Jeh Johnson of Homeland Security mentioned that $43.7 million had been spent to purchase two King Air Multi-Role Enforcement Aircraft (MEA). Johnson noted the twin-engine aircraft are more than capable in supporting Border Patrol agents and improving air-to-ground surveillance capabilities.
“Border security is a core mission of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS),” said Johnson, “The Department has deployed historic levels of front-line personnel, technology, and infrastructure to the border to reduce the flow of illegal immigrants and illicit contraband while, at the same time, fostering legal trade and travel.”
The MEA Super King Air 350ER is a medium range aircraft which “performs aerial patrol and surveillance over land and water, detection and monitoring and enforcement relocation of personnel and equipment,” according to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection fact sheet. They fly with a crew of four (two pilots and two sensor operators). The planes use state-of-the-art sensor equipment in regions where ground based operations would be hampered by difficult terrain. This equipment is invaluable for detection, tracking and surveillance operations. They can be deployed rapidly and utilize video recorders to document suspicious activities.
Flight hours are used to support the highest priority border security operations. 2,805 more flight hours have been executed to date in Fiscal Year 2015 compared to the first six months of 2014. Johnson credits the step up in these security operations for a reduction in apprehensions. According to the report, apprehensions through March 31, 2015 are currently at 151,805, down nearly 60,000 (28 percent) compared to the same time period during Fiscal Year 2014. They are down 15,669 and 37,259 respectively compared to the same time periods in Fiscal Years 2012 and 2013. This is despite an improving United States economy; which has historically been considered a “pull” factor for illegal immigration.