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FYI:

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/187372_border21.html

Saturday, August 21, 2004

"Security boosted at border
Air, sea unit to watch Canadian crossing for terrorists, smugglers"

By PAUL SHUKOVSKY
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

ARTICLE SNIPPET: "BELLINGHAM -- The Department of Homeland Security yesterday opened the first of five Air and Marine branches along the northern frontier, demonstrating a significant new commitment to security along the largely unfortified border. The new units are designed to better secure it from terrorists as well as traffickers of drugs, guns and illegal aliens.

As the office grows over the next year, 69 federal law enforcement officers and support people will take to the air and waters off Whatcom County and the San Juan Archipelago in a small armada that includes unmarked boats, a 33-foot aluminum vessel capable of 50 mph, two helicopters and a fixed-wing aircraft outfitted with advanced surveillance instrumentation."