Tank Thermal Sights Light Up the Border

As important as counterdrug operations are to the nation, political
considerations and other national priorities often limit funding for the
war on drugs. As a result, creativity and ingenuity are often key weapons
in the drugfighter's arsenal.

One of the best and most effective examples of this spirit of innovation is
the way in which surplus tank thermal sights have been brought to bear
against drug smugglers in California. Feeling his agency's
druginterdiction efforts were being hampered by a shortage of highquality
and highly mobile nightvision devices, U.S. Border Patrol agent and
California National Guard soldier Robert Carney came up with an innovative
and costeffective solution.

A former tanker, Carney suggested that the thermal sights fitted to
obsolete M60A3 tanks be removed and installed in Border Patrol vehicles.
Carney pointed out that the sights would otherwise be dismantled or sent to
the bottom of the sea when the tanks were used to form new coral reefs.

The idea received enthusiastic support from both the Army and the Border
Patrol, and 12 exmilitary Chevrolet Blazer light trucks were equipped with
the sights. Housed in a reinforced circular "turret" in the roof of the
vehicle's cargo area, the TTS can be rotated through 360 degrees. The
operator sits in a small jump seat attached to the movable sight support
structure, and can operate the device with the vehicle both stationary and
in motion.

"It has really worked out well," said Carney of the system, which is
operated by both Border Patrol agents and Team Shadow soldiers. "The TTS
gives us the ability to locate and track smugglers on even the darkest
nights, and having it mounted on a fourwheel drive vehicle makes it truly
mobile. And the best part is, the whole project acquiring the sights and
the vehicles and mating them together cost just $25,000. That's a pretty
good deal."

Steve Harding