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Return to Article: Homeland Security unit to consolidate aviation, marine assets

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  Well, that's just great. Just like the government when you think we've gone about as low as we can go, the government stays true to form. If it makes sense, they do the opposite. Every OIG report, think tank, employees and most of the SES' agree that splintering the investigative arm of an agency from their 1st line officers makes absolutely no sense. Soooo, that's what they're going to do. I don't know if anyone has read the latest revision of the bill that was for the merger of CBP and ICE with specialized divisions for immigration, customs and agriculture. It's changed drastically since it was first submitted (check it out on Thomas). Now it calls for no merger of our agencies -- just better coordination (yeah, that'll work just like it has for the past three years.). And . . . they intend to splinter off Air and Marine creating a new AMO agency! OI will no longer have any air support. Another cutting off of the limbs of OI. Headquarters says that we still conduct complex investigations concerning Homeland Security, yet, they tie our hands by continuing to erode the tools that allow us to perform our sworn duties.

  Congress better wake up before another 9/11! We were the only agencies that proactively (not reactively like the FBI) sought violators of our strategic, fraud, immigration, money laundering, etc. laws.

  I never thought these words would come out of my mouth but I give up!

  GovExec.com reader Posted January 27, 2006 8:16 PM
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  As a 19-year veteran of legacy Customs (Air & Marine), a better "fit" would have been to transfer the entire program to the Drug Enforcement Administration. Our time spent within DHS, first at ICE, and now in CBP has successfully turned quarter horses into pack mules.

  Historically, we have successfully executed a wide variety of classified and unclassified missions throughout the Western Hemisphere. We contributed significantly to our Nation's safety prior to, and after 9/11.

  Border Patrol is only interested in whether or not the person and aircraft are capable of "cutting sign." I, and my fellow colleagues, respect the Border Patrol mission. However, AMO personnel and equipment bring much more to the table.

  The vast majority of our aircraft are not designed to "cut sign." Therefore, the Border Patrol is perplexed as to how to utilize many of these resources that now fall under their tactical control. All of these resources could be integrated fully into DEA's mission tomorrow.

  Anyone heard of the "War on Drugs"? Anyone realize that drug trafficking organizations and terrorist organizations have forged a symbiotic relationship? Has anyone heard of the FARC and ELN in Colombia and the Shining Path in Peru? What about the Taliban and its relationship to heroin production?

  Terrorist and drug trafficking organizations have hit the trifecta. They reap billions of dollars in the narcotics trade to fund criminal and terror activity. They poison our population with cocaine, heroin, and other drugs. And, by virtue of their existence, they de-stabilize democratic nations and institutions.

  It is too bad the subject matter experts so called the Gang of Five (www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/ article/2005/12/21/AR2005122102327_pf.html) did not have a clue.

  It is also unfortunate that CBP is not capable of managing these resources for the department. Shouldn't FEMA, Secret Service, Coast Guard, and ICE have unfettered access to these resources should the need arise? These are national assets, not Border Patrol Sector Chief assets.

  The national spotlight on immigration will diminish just as the "War on Drugs" has. I, like many others within AMO, will be opting for retirement from this train wreck at the earliest opportunity.

  GovExec.com reader Posted January 20, 2006 7:04 PM