Posted on 02/24/2006 8:33:21 AM PST by GoRepGo
The U.S. Border Patrol has confirmed that a Mexican government helicopter crossed into the United States Tuesday evening.
The unmarked helicopter crossed into the U.S. near San Luis, Ariz., at 6:30 p.m. and traveled along the Colorado River for approximately a half a mile before returning to Mexico, according to a Customs and Border Protection release.
"After proper coordination and verifications with the government of Mexico, they confirmed that the helicopter belonged to the Mexican Attorney General's Office (PGR) and had mistakenly and unintentionally crossed into U.S. airspace," the release said.
PGR is the federal police force that investigates federal offenses, predominantly drug trafficking and organized crime.
Local border watcher Flash Sharrar, who saw the helicopter while on patrol near County 12th Street, remained steadfast that the helicopter was carrying Mexican soldiers, not federal agents. "That was Mexican military," he said. "You could see the uniforms."
Sharrar, the co-founder of the Yuma Patriots, said the chopper traveled much farther than a half-mile while it was in the United States. He said it was circling in U.S. airspace for as long as 20 minutes.
Yuma sector Border Patrol spokesman Michael Gramley said this was the first incursion by a Mexican helicopter that he could recall in the Yuma sector. Gramley did not have any information beyond that which was provided in the report.
"I think it's happened more often than we really know," Sharrar said.
Sharrar said if the Patriots had not witnessed the incursion, the Border Patrol would have denied that it happened.
Gramley said that would not be the case. "We would surely not attempt to cover up an incident of this type," he said.
(Excerpt) Read more at sun.yumasun.com ...
"Local border watcher Flash Sharrar, who saw the helicopter while on patrol near County 12th Street, remained steadfast that the helicopter was carrying Mexican soldiers, not federal agents. "That was Mexican military," he said. "You could see the uniforms."
I would be interested to know what type of helo it was; the Mexicans still operate Russian Mi-26 helos (the last time that I checked). To keep better track of the Mexican aircraft, we might need to provide aircraft identification classes to border watchers.
Same here. And it disgusts me to see the senate and house members jumping all over it, demanding immediate action when they've taken little action to protect our borders. Why don't they go after the border issue with this kind of fast, emergency-like action. They make me sick. Both sides of the aisle are starting to make me sick.
Bad-dges? We don't need no stinkin bad-dges
This sickness has a cure this November. ; )
Mr. Bush, your #1 duty under the Constitution is national security, and I'm growing bored with your bullsh!t. Enough talking about "homeland security", get off your ass and do something about the border.
Please explain how this incident proves a wall intended to prevent ground crossings can't fulfill that function.
In fact, presence of said wall doubles as a border marker so the "we flew over the boarder accidentally," excuse would have less credibility.
Libertarian ping.To be added or removed from my ping list freepmail me or post a message here
bttt
Any bets that our government will NOT complain to Mexico?
You're right, of course. I merely was saying that the wall won't deter planes. But I am all for it, 100%
I imagine the liberals will demand an investigation as to why President Bush gave away that section of air space.
Ping!
OK. Next time, instead of the Mexican government apologizing for a helicopter crossing the border, let's have the American government apologize for shooting it down.
We DO agree on some things.
That is what I wonder all the time. TO ME, the port, the border and our soldiers dying in Iraq are ALL RELATED. It's all about ** SECURITY **. I wrote some posts making this very point but I have to say, that even here in FR, some people don't seem to see the connection!... and it makes me wonder. Furthermore, I am surprised most people here are not angry at GWB for not doing enough securing the border. I like GWB a lot!... but just like a kid that you love... you have to be tough sometime if they misbehave. The president is a good man, but I don't believe for a minute, he is "infallible." He is human and will makes mistake... that does not mean I am against him.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.