Air and Marine Operations lead local Red Ribbon Week activities

Federal agents from the National Air Security Operations Center—Corpus Christi (NASOC-CC) worked with state and local law enforcement officers to visit area schools and teach kids about the dangers of illegal drugs during Red Ribbon Week Oct. 24 - Nov. 4.

The agents, who normally operate P-3 Orion aircraft in the fight against maritime drug smuggling, joined officers from Corpus Christi Police Dept., Corpus Christi ISD Police, Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept., and the Texas Department of Public Safety at 12 different elementary schools in the Corpus Christi area.

The presentation included the dangers of illicit drugs as well as a look into what law enforcement officers do to stop drug trafficking. Students were able to see some of the equipment that the aircrew members use on a daily basis, including body armor and survival vests.

“As a parent myself, I realize how important it is to teach kids to say ‘no’ to drugs,” said Flight Engineer Les Fuqua. “Red Ribbon Week is a great way to do that, as well as to honor the memory of ‘Kiki’ Camarena.”

After the torture and murder of DEA Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena in 1985 at the hands of drug smugglers, his friends and neighbors began wearing red ribbons in his honor. These grassroots efforts eventually grew to become the Red Ribbon Week campaign, the largest of its kind in the United States. The campaign partners with law enforcement officers to educate children about drugs and crime as well as to honor Kiki’s memory. Red Ribbon Week reaches over 80 million people each year.