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.

FMI: www.msnbc.com