[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 17 (Thursday, January 28, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E65]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      10TH ANNIVERSARY OF CBP'S AIR AND MARINE OPERATIONS--OR AMO

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CANDICE S. MILLER

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 28, 2016

  Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
10th anniversary of the merger of U.S. Customs and Border Protection's 
(CBP) air and marine assets, which today are known as CBP's Air and 
Marine Operations--or AMO. This valuable component of CBP provides 
critical aviation and maritime capabilities that support security along 
the nation's land and maritime borders.
  Prior to the establishment of DHS in 2003, the assets and personnel 
that comprise AMO were divided amongst multiple agencies, including the 
U.S. Customs Service and the U.S. Border Patrol. These resources were 
consolidated under DHS and integrated into CBP to better coordinate and 
align our nation's border and maritime security resources and increase 
the effectiveness of those resources.
  Today, AMO helps secure our nation from transnational threats, 
including terrorism; weapons and drug smuggling; and other illicit 
transnational activities.
  With 1,800 federal agents and specialists, a fleet of aircraft and 
marine vessels, and an array of advanced surveillance and domain 
awareness technologies, AMO conducts its mission along our land borders 
and coastlines, and within the nation's interior.
  Based out of more than 90 locations throughout the United States, AMO 
performed approximately 30,000 missions, which supported 51,000 
apprehensions and made 4,500 arrests ensuring the safety and security 
of our nation.
  As one of the nation's largest and most capable aviation and maritime 
law enforcement organization, AMO leverages its capabilities by forging 
crucial partnerships with international, federal, state, local and 
tribal agencies in support of national security, law enforcement, 
disaster relief, and humanitarian operations.
  On behalf of a grateful nation, I want to commend the men and women 
of the CBP's Air and Marine Operations for their years of service and 
wish them a happy 10th anniversary.

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