NASOC-CC supports hurricane relief efforts

Four aircrews from Air and Marine Operations (AMO), National Air Security Operations Center Corpus Christi (NASOC-CC) provided vital relief flights to the disaster-stricken Bahama Islands in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian.

Between Aug. 29 and Sept. 8, NASOC-CC’s aircrews deployed to Birmingham, Alabama, and Miami, Fla., to stand ready as Hurricane Dorian made its way across the Bahama Islands toward the Eastern seaboard of the United States.

The crews conducted real-time aerial damage assessments of airports and other facilities in the Bahama Islands, which helped prioritize rescue, and recovery plans. The crews also provided airborne radar coverage, which helped prevent midair collisions between search and rescue assets and civilian aircraft.

“Air and Marine Operations aircrews have demonstrated remarkable resiliency helping those in need after recent hurricanes,” said NASOC-CC Director Robert Blanchard. “Our folks are displaying extraordinary commitment once again to provide vital services and support relief efforts after Hurricane Dorian.”

NASOC-CC is a division of AMO, and operates the Lockheed P-3 Orion, which conducts counter-drug patrol missions over the Eastern Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Together with NASOC in Jacksonville, Fla., Customs and Border Protection P-3 crews seized or disrupted 261,939 pounds of cocaine in various operations conducted in fiscal year 2018.

AMO is a federal law enforcement organization dedicated to serving and protecting the American people through advanced aeronautical and maritime capabilities.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation’s borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP is charged with securing the borders of the United States while enforcing hundreds of laws and facilitating lawful trade and travel.