U.S. ADDS MORE MUSCLE TO ITS BORDER SECURITY

A new air and marine branch south of the border will do more than protect
American citizens from terrorism and smugglers.

Gary Bracken, with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Air and
Marine Operations, said beefing up enforcement in the air, on land and sea
will enhance safety for Canadians.

"Illegal activity goes both ways," Bracken said.

Security afforded Americans by the new facility "reaches across to provide
an additional level of security for Canadian citizens." "Illegal activity
in either direction is stopped."

The $85 million Air and Marine Branch (AMB) opened Friday with 15 part-time
staff, a fixed-wing surveillance plane, and a boat. When it's fully
operational, in a year, it'll have 50 full-time officers, two helicopters,
and at least one high-speed boat.

The crafts themselves won't be armed, but officers on board will be.

The Bellingham AMB is the first of five opening along the American border
with Canada - once considered the longest undefended border in the world.
An office in Plattsburgh, N.Y., is next in October, followed by sites in
Montana, North Dakota and Michigan over the next three years.

Bracken said the Bellingham AMB can respond within an hour to situations
within a 410-km radius.

Surveillance and enforcement will stretch east and west along the border,
but will not cross into Canada without permission.

Bracken acknowledged existing security - U.S. Border Patrol and Integrated
Border Enforcement Team - already conduct air, land and sea enforcement.
AMB "brings a different capability and a different mission set," he said.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Air and Marine Operations
provides airspace security for major U.S. events, including the Super Bowl.
AMBs supply marine and air patrols to support Homeland Security, and assist
in FBI and Secret Service counter-terrorism operations.

Bracken said the air and marine branch is a long-term move, solidifying
operations that have been in place temporarily.

Aside from a short operation marking the launch yesterday, Bracken doubts
Canadians will notice a visible change.

Police here say it's too soon to know what impact, if any, the branch will
have on security.

White Rock RCMP Staff Sgt. Tom Forster did say the countries have
cooperated on many enforcement initiatives. The Americans' assistance
during the Aug. 11 Wings Over White Rock fundraiser was appreciated, he said.

Given the money to be made in smuggling - Wednesday, U.S. authorities
intercepted $2.6 million worth of drugs from a vehicle near Sumas border
crossing - he said he can see why additional resources stateside might lend
further advantage.