Executive Assistant Commissioner Jonathan P. Miller, Air and Marine Operations | U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Air and Marine Operations (AMO) and Border Patrol Search, Trauma, and Rescue (BORSTAR) conducted an air rescue operation for an injured hunter in rugged terrain near Arivaca, Arizona. The incident occurred on February 21 when the Pima County Sheriff's Department requested assistance from an AMO UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter based at the Tucson Air Branch.
The helicopter crew teamed up with a Tucson Sector BORSTAR team to carry out the mission. After a brief aerial search, they located the injured individual and deployed two BORSTAR emergency medical technicians via a 30-foot fast rope insertion due to challenging terrain conditions. The EMTs assessed the situation and stabilized what was suspected to be a fractured leg.
Jose Muriente, AMO Deputy Director of the Tucson Air Branch, commented on the operation: “This rescue is a testament to our unmatched aviation precision capabilities. I am incredibly proud of the professionalism our UH-60 crew and BORSTAR team showed today, to save the life of this hunter.”
The patient was prepared for extraction using an air rescue vest and transported to a nearby paved road where additional medical personnel were stationed. From there, the injured party was handed over to Arivaca Fire Department for further care and hospital transport.
AMO plays a crucial role in national security by addressing threats through aviation and maritime law enforcement expertise. They operate across various environments in the United States as well as Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands.
For updates on similar operations or other activities by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), follow their social media accounts on X: @CBPAMO, @USBPChiefTCA, and @CBPArizona.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is recognized as America's largest law enforcement organization focused on border management with over 65,000 employees working to ensure safety across different terrains while facilitating legal travel and trade.
