http://www.cbc.ca/sask/story/border-patrols060203.html

U.S. air patrols planned over Sask.-Montana border
Last Updated Feb 3 2006 08:58 AM CST
CBC News
As part of the war on terror, drug dealers and illegal immigrants, United States border agents will start flying regular patrols over the border with Saskatchewan this summer.

The U.S. is spending $18 million to build what's called a Northern Border Security Wing in Great Falls, Mont.

"It is a surveillance," said Montana Republican senator Conrad Burns, who said the patrols will benefit people in both the U.S. and Canada.

While preventing terrorism in response to the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks is a major goal, the patrols will also be on the lookout for drug traffickers and illegal immigrants, he said.

Two other surveillance stations already monitor the border in Washington and New York states.

"They made a lot of arrests," Burns said.

Burns said he expected Canadians who live along the border will barely notice the patrols.

"I doubt if they'll even see them," he said.

He said he expected there will be some "interaction" between the U.S. and Canadian governments before the patrols begin.

He noted that while there have been discussions about requiring passports, visas or special cards before people can cross the border, the patrols could reduce the need for such "irritants," he said.

The patrols will use a mix of Blackhawk helicopters, turbo-prop planes and drone aircraft, which do not require pilots.