First of five planned bases opens with helos, fixed wing aircraft and high speed boats

The first of five new Homeland Security bases for surveillance of the US-Canada border has been dedicated. The Bellingham Air Marine Branch in Washington state will eventually have a staff of 70, two helos, one fixed wing aircraft and a high speed boat, and should be fully equipped and operational by the end of this year.

Eventually there will be a total of five new bases just this side of the border, from Washington State to Upstate New York. The planned facilities are all part of an increase in surveillance of the Canadian border with the United States. Similar bases have been operational along the southern border with Mexico for some 30 years.

The other four bases will be located in Plattsburgh (NY), Detroit, Grand Forks (ND) and Great Falls (MT).

While the Bellingham base has not been fully funded and only has enough money to operate flights eight hours a day, the staff is upbeat about their mission. "Our greatest asset right now is they don't know when we're going to be operating," said Mitch Pribble, a pilot and associate field director for the office.

Sen. Patty Murray, D-WA, said Congress has appropriated just over $35 million in FY04 to fully fund the Bellingham facility.  "I feel like the northern border is finally getting its due," Murray said.

FMI: www.dhs.gov