Sat, Oct 18, 2003
Whop Whop Whop All Night Long
"We cannot provide
world-class, effective security on the cheap." Those words came
from TSA Director James Loy Thursday as he testified before
Congress. But he can try. One day after a news report revealed gaps
in the Office of Air and Marine Operations' coverage of Washington
(DC), the civilian-configured Blackhawk helicopters that patrol the
skies there are on duty 24/7.
The two Customs Service Blackhawk helicopters had been in
16-hour a day duty, roaming the skies, responding to ATC reports of
intrusions into the Washington ADIZ. MSNBC.com reported
earlier in the week that the Blackhawk patrols were part of a
layered defense in the airspace over the nation's capital -- one
that includes military aircraft and SAM missile batteries. The
Blackhawk patrols weren't running around the clock because there
just wasn't enough money, according to the web-based news service.
Before MSNBC.com ran the story, the AMO director, Charles
Stallworth, reportedly said, "If it were published [that the
helicopters only are on alert 16 hours a day], I’d be
seven-by-24 within 24 [hours] of that."
It was. He is.
Stallworth said, "that would have a greater impact on my people
and missions that were out there but I’d have to do that."
The Blackhawks are on TDY to Reagan National Airport. Their crews
are rotated in and out from various Customs field offices. The two
aircraft in Washington are part of a 16-helicopter fleet used by
Customs for drug interdiction and surveillance. Stallworth told
MSNBC.com earlier, "The mission [in Washington] has an
impact our other missions, But all in all, we try and share the
pain so that we don’t do permanent damage to any of our local
operations."
Stallworth wouldn't talk to MSNBC.com a second time.
Instead, Dean Boyd, a spokesman for Immigration and Customs
Enforcement, the unit that houses AMO, told the Seattle-based web
publication, "As we previously told you, there has been 24/7
coverage over the national capitol region by a variety of agencies
and that continues at this time. Any other operational details I
cannot discuss with you in any way, given the obvious
sensitivities." Dean wouldn't confirm the move to 24/7 Blackhawk
coverage over Washington.
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