Air Force Announces Basing Candidates for an Active Duty Air Force MQ-1/9 Remote Split Operations Squadron

IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 891-11October 20, 2011 Air Force officials announced today Davis Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz.; Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii; and Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., as the candidate bases for one active duty Air Force MQ-1/9 remote split operations squadron. The list of candidate bases was approved by Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz. These bases are now candidates to accept a single active duty MQ-1/9 RSO squadron consisting of 280 personnel and associated equipment. No remotely piloted aircraft will be assigned to the base under this action, only a ground control station. The Department of Defense identified MQ-1/9 as one of the key Air Force capabilities in the current fight and for national defense. The primary mission of an MQ-1/9 RSO squadron is to execute MQ-1/9 Predator/Reaper aircraft operations that conduct close air support, air interdiction, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. Air Combat Command will begin conducting detailed, on-the-ground evaluations of the candidate bases covering a range of operational and facility requirements. The results of the surveys will be briefed to the secretary of the Air Force and Air Force chief of staff, who will then select a preferred alternative. Based on the results of these efforts, officials expect to announce the preferred alternative in December 2011.

CBP Launches Centers to Facilitate Processing of Imports

Washington — U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced today the establishment of two industry-specific centers: the Center of Excellence and Expertise – Electronics in Los Angeles and the Center of Excellence and Expertise – Pharmaceuticals in New York.The centers, which previously functioned as pilot programs, will continue efforts to increase uniformity of practices across ports of entry, facilitate the timely resolution of trade compliance issues nationwide, and further strengthen critical agency knowledge on key industry practices.“The Centers of Excellence and Expertise will fundamentally transform the way CBP approaches trade operations and works with the international trade community,” said CBP Commissioner Alan D. Bersin. “They will also help facilitate legitimate trade while enabling us to concentrate our enforcement efforts on potential threats to our nation’s security and economic competitiveness.”Initially, the centers will serve as a single point of processing for businesses enrolled in CBP’s trusted shipper programs, the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) and the Importer Self-Assessment (ISA).The centers will also serve as a resource to the broader trade community and to CBP’s U.S. government partners; center personnel will answer questions, provide information and develop trade facilitation strategies to address uniformity and compliance concerns.Required import documents for trusted partners within the electronics and pharmaceutical industries are now being routed to their respective industry center. While revenue collection will continue to be carried out at the ports of entry, the centers will begin to perform all validation activities, protests, post entry amendment/post summary correction reviews, and prior disclosure validations for the trusted partners within their industry.By redirecting work involving trusted shippers within the electronics and pharmaceutical industries to centralized, industry-specific locations, ports of entry will be able to more effectively focus resources on high-risk shipments and importers that may pose a danger to U.S. border security, harm the health and safety of consumers, or violate U.S. trade laws and intellectual property rights critical to our nation’s economic competitiveness. In turn, the approach to trade processing facilitated by the new centers will reduce transaction costs for the trade community, facilitate legitimate trade through risk segmentation, increase agency expertise and deliver greater transparency and uniformity of action within a given industry.( More information on the pilots and CBP’s C-TPAT and ISA trusted shipper programs ) ( CBP Initiates the Center of Excellence and Expertise and Account Executive Pilots ) ( Pharmaceutical Center of Excellence and Expertise ) ( C-TPAT: Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism ) ( Importer Self-Assessment Program (ISA) )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 the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

CBP Components Disrupt Smuggling Efforts In Southern Arizona

Tucson, Ariz. – Border Patrol agents assigned to the Tucson Sector, a component of the Joint Field Command-Arizona, arrested four smugglers and seized three vehicles near Douglas yesterday in connection with an effort to smuggle 13 illegal immigrants. All four smugglers were Mexican nationals. Assisted by a Customs and Border Protection Office of Air and Marine helicopter, agents located three vehicles traveling north on Highway 191. When agents attempted to conduct a vehicle stop, two vehicles fled the area. Thirteen people ran from the remaining vehicle into an open field. Agents apprehended all 13 individuals with the help of the OAM helicopter pilot. In addition, agents tracked down one of the fleeing vehicles to a location on Davis Road. Three occupants were arrested in conjunction with the smuggling incident. The case is being reviewed for possible federal charges. The Border Patrol notified and requested additional assistance from local and federal authorities in locating the third vehicle. CBP officers from the Douglas Port immediately reported that the outstanding vehicle had been detained as it attempted to drive south into Mexico. The driver and vehicle were turned over to the Douglas Border Patrol Station for processing. The driver was processed and is also facing federal charges. Collaboration between CBP partners continues to disrupt transnational criminal operations. Enhanced communication coupled with the dedication and vigilance of CBP employees denies smugglers easy access to traditional smuggling routes and tactics. CBP welcomes assistance from the community. Citizens can report suspicious activity to the Border Patrol by calling (877) 872-7435 toll free. All calls will be answered and remain anonymous.CBP announced the JFC-AZ in February 2011 as an organizational realignment that brings together the Tucson and Yuma Border Patrol Sectors and their Air Branches, as well as the Tucson Field Office, under a unified command structure. JFC-AZ integrates CBP’s border security, commercial enforcement and trade facilitation missions to more effectively meet the unique challenges faced in Arizona. Follow us on Twitter @CBPArizona or visit the CBP Arizona website for more information. ( CBP Arizona ) 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 the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws

Auto Accident So Odgen

(Buffalo, NY Erie County) - Auto Accident South Odgen Use caution in area. 

Peace Bridge 6 Lanes Open, No Delays

Buffalo/Niagara Falls Peace Bridge

24 hrs/day 10/20/2011

7

At 8am EST no delay 7 lane(s) open

N/A

11

no delay 6 lane(s) open

At 8am EST no delay 1 lane(s) open

Border Patrol Agents In Southern Arizona Sentenced

San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora, Mexico, who was apprehended by Ajo Station Border Patrol agents in early March, was sentenced to 60 months in prison on Oct. 11.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted Abel Carrillo-Uranga after he was apprehended on March 2, 2011, for attempting to illegally re-enter the United States. During processing at the Ajo Station, the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS) revealed Carrillo-Uranga was convicted in Colorado in 1992 for second degree murder and sentenced to 20 years in prison before being removed from the United States.

Record checks also indicated Carrillo-Uranga was previously deported from the United States after serving his prison sentence. Following initial processing, the Tucson Sector’s Prosecution Unit submitted the case to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for re-entry of a felon. After his incarceration in federal prison for 60 months, Carrillo-Uranga will be formally removed from the country.

All illegal immigrants apprehended by the Border Patrol undergo criminal history checks using IAFIS. This vital tool accesses criminal records throughout the United States, thereby assisting agents in quickly identifying violent criminals and wanted persons.

In January 2011, the Tucson Sector Border Patrol, a component of the Joint Field Command-Arizona, implemented the Consequence Delivery System (CDS) as an integral component of its enforcement strategy. CDS centers on delivering a targeted consequence to illegal immigrants and simultaneously seeks to disrupt the smuggling cycle and reduce recidivism rates by ensuring consequences are upheld to the full extent of the law. Carrillo-Uranga is now banned for life from all legalization processes without a waiver from the U.S. Attorney General.

CBP announced the JFC-AZ in February 2011 as an organizational realignment that brings together the U.S. Border Patrol, Air and Marine, and Field Operations under a unified command structure. The JFC-AZ integrates CBP’s border security, commercial enforcement, and trade facilitation missions to more effectively meet the unique challenges faced in Arizona.

Customs and Border Protection welcomes assistance from the community. Report suspicious activity to the Border Patrol by calling 1-877-872-7435 toll free. All calls will be answered and remain anonymous.

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 the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Photo Courtesy DHS

How To Sign Up To Participate in TSA Pre✓™

10.18.2011

How To Sign Up To Participate in TSA Pre✓™

We’ve been getting a lot of interest and rave reviews since rolling out TSA Pre✓™ earlier this month and travelers have been asking  how they can sign up.

The good news is that you may already be eligible and just not know it. This summer, after partnering with American and Delta airlines, and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to identify a limited group of potential participants to test the expedited screening concept, each airline and CBP sent communications out to the participant pool telling them how to opt into the TSA Pre✓™ pilot. If you are a United States citizen and an existing member of one of CBP's Trusted Traveler programs, such as Global Entry, SENTRI or NEXUS or one of the more frequent flyers with Delta and American you more than likely received one of those communications.  This might be a good time to search your inbox to find it!

There’s more good news:  if you didn’t get the initial communication or accidentally tossed it,  there is still a way to participate in TSA Pre✓™. Read on…

If you are a United States citizen and are currently a member of CBP’s eligible Trusted Traveler programs (Global Entry, SENTRI, NEXUS), you areautomatically qualified to participate in the TSA Pre✓™ pilot as long as you are flying on a participating airline at a participating airport.  (If you’re a more frequent flyer with Delta or American, you must opt in to the program by responding to the communication sent to you, which is why it’s important to find that email and follow the directions in it.) 

The most important thing to know about TSA Pre✓™ during the pilot phase is:

• Participants flying on Delta Air Lines must be flying out of either Atlanta (ATL) or Detroit (DTW)

• Participants flying on American Airlines must be flying out of Miami (MIA) or Dallas/Fort Worth   (DFW)

This applies for both the participating airline frequent flyers and the CBP Trusted Traveler participants.

Booking Reservations

So now you’re ready to book your flight, and you want to participate – what do you do?  Current members of CBP’s Global Entry, SENTRI or NEXUS programs just need to place their PASS ID in the ‘Known Traveler Number’ field when booking their reservation. 

Click For Larger Image

Frequent flyers who have already opted in through their airline don’t need to do anything more – the airlines will send confirmation of their participation when they send us the passenger’s Secure Flight data.

At The Airport

American Airlines’ participants  must  use check-in kiosks at the airport to print their boarding pass.  Delta Airlines participants do not. 

The next important step is to go to the specific checkpoint that has been specially configured for TSA Pre✓™ at each airport. At these checkpoints, an officer will scan your boarding passes to verify that you are eligible, and if you are, direct you to the expedited screening lane.  If you go to the wrong checkpoint, you’ll miss the opportunity for expedited screening.  So if you’re eligible and flying anytime soon, I’d keep the information below with my boarding pass:

TSA Pre✓™ Checkpoints:

• Atlanta: T-South Checkpoint (Delta only)
• Dallas: Terminal C, Checkpoint C30 (American only)
• Detroit: Checkpoint 2 on the ticketing level (Delta only)
• Miami: D2 Checkpoint (American only)

The last key point I wanted to pass on is that  opting into the pilot will not guarantee expedited security screening for every flight. We have built random and unpredictable factors throughout the aviation security system to guard against terrorists gaming the system and this program is no exception.
 

I’m not done passing on good news. If you’re a United States citizen and not currently a member of one of CBP’s Trusted Traveler programs, you can join one now and be eligible for TSA Pre✓™ after you’re enrolled.  Here are the basic steps for applying:

Go to the Global Online Enrollment System (GOES) page and register for a CBP Global Online Enrollment System (GOES) account. Once registered in GOES, you can move forward with your enrollment in one of the CBP eligible programs. If you’re having trouble, you can go here for a presentation on how to locate a PASS ID (or Membership Number) in the GOES account.

And if you’ve gotten this far in the post and are still wondering what the heck TSA Pre✓™ is, you can take a look at this blog post from our Administrator, John S. Pistole or check out the info at TSA.gov. 

Blogger Bob

TSA Blog Team

If you’d like to comment on an unrelated topic you can do so in our Off Topic Comments post. You can also view our blog post archives or search our blog to find a related topic to comment in. If you have a travel related issue or question that needs an immediate answer, you can contact a Customer Support Manager at the airport you traveled, or will be traveling through by using Talk to TSA.