Why you might see or hear a Black Hawk helicopter at the BC border
The BC RCMP says residents should “not be alarmed” if they see or hear a Black Hawk helicopter at the border.
This week, the helicopter began patrols at the BC-US border “to detect, deter and disrupt illegal border activities.”
Some of the potential threats or targets that the BC RCMP is looking for include “human smuggling, trafficking drugs or other contraband, and those crossing illegally into, and out of, Canada.”
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A release from the BC RCMP states that the Black Hawk is fast with a lot of range, and the chopper can quickly respond to locations anywhere along the border “as needed.”
“The added resource will be tied in with Federal Policing Pacific Region Integrated Border Enforcement Teams, providing both intelligence and response capabilities to any suspicious activities or emerging events.”
BC RCMP
“Anyone who sees or hears the helicopter should not be alarmed as its flight is simply part of normal police operations,” the BC RCMP states.
“While BC already has the largest air service fleet in the RCMP, with both rotary (helicopter) and fixed-wing (airplane) aircraft strategically positioned across the province supporting operations, including border security, we welcome the added strength of the RCMP Black Hawk helicopter,” it adds.
“We are excited to add this aerial capability to our current repertoire of border surveillance equipment,” said Superintendent Bert Ferreira, Officer in Charge of Border Integrity for Federal Policing Pacific Region.
“The Canada-US border is well secured on both sides in large part to the great working relationship between the RCMP, US Customs and Border Protection, and other partners, all of whom work tirelessly day in and day out.”
Assistant Commissioner David Teboul, Commanding Officer of Federal Policing Pacific Region, added, “While the Black Hawk is one element of our comprehensive operational efforts, it is a welcomed asset bolstering our capacity.”
Have you travelled across the border recently and witnessed the Black Hawk flying around?