Thread: U.S. helicopter shot while patrolling Mexican border

U.S. helicopter shot while patrolling Mexican border

BY JASON BUCH : JUNE 5, 2015 : Updated: June 5, 2015 9:41pm


Photo By Getty Images

• Drug gangs have been increasing their firepower in recent years. Statistics show that the proportion of high-powered assault weapons has increased since around 2006.
  

LAREDO --- A U.S. Customs and Border Protection helicopter was hit by gunfire near the Mexican border Friday evening, according to Laredo police.

The helicopter landed in an industrial park on the city's northwest side and no injuries were reported, said investigator Joe Baeza, a police spokesman.

The shooting happened shortly after 5 p.m., Baeza said.

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/loc...an-6310535.php

BREAKING: US CBP CHOPPER DOWN AT TEXAS BORDER, FIRED ON FROM MEXICO

Breitbart Texas/Brandon Darby
by BRANDON DARBY 5 Jun 2015

Breitbart Texas has learned that a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) helicopter was shot down or forced to initiate an emergency landing in Laredo, Texas due to receiving gunfire from the Mexican side of the border. The helicopter was interdicting a narcotics load and working alongside agents from the U.S. Border Patrol, who operate under the umbrella of the CBP. The helicopter was operating in the Laredo Sector of Texas, immediately across the border from the Los Zetas cartel headquarters of Nuevo Laredo, Mexico.

The helicopter was in U.S. airspace and participating in the interdiction of a narcotics load coming from Mexico into the United States.

A federal agent who spoke with Breitbart Texas on the condition of anonymity said, “U.S. Border Patrol agents were attempting to intercept a drug load. A law enforcement chopper was assisting Border Patrol agents. The chopper received gunfire from the Mexican side of the border. The chopper had to do an emergency landing due to the gunfire.”

Border Patrol agent and National Border Patrol Council Local 2455 President Hector Garza confirmed that he received unofficial reports on this matter that indicate the information provided to Breitbart Texas by the unnamed federal agent is accurate.

http://www.breitbart.com/texas/2015/...n-from-mexico/

CBP helicopter comes under fire


Christopher Sherman/AP

A U.S. Customs and Border Protection helicopter is shown in McAllen in this file photo.

Posted: Friday, June 5, 2015 9:03 pm | Updated: 9:35 pm, Fri Jun 5, 2015.
By Laredo Morning Times

A U.S. Customs and Border Protection helicopter was shot at Friday evening near La Bota Ranch, Webb County Sheriff Martin Cuellar said.

Cuellar said that out of the five shots, two were confirmed to have hit the helicopter.

Border Patrol spokesperson Sara Melendez said the helicopter landed safely and no injuries were reported.

It has not been confirmed if the shots were fired on the U.S. or Mexico side.

http://www.lmtonline.com/front-news/...7f0d76ae9.html

Update to the second article.

**UPDATES** BREAKING: US CBP CHOPPER DOWN AT TEXAS BORDER, FIRED ON FROM MEXICO


Breitbart Texas/Brandon Darby

by BRANDON DARBY5 Jun 20151850

Breitbart Texas has learned that a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) helicopter was shot down or forced to initiate an emergency landing in Laredo, Texas due to receiving gunfire from the Mexican side of the border. The helicopter was interdicting a narcotics load and working alongside agents from the U.S. Border Patrol, who operate under the umbrella of the CBP. The helicopter was operating in the Laredo Sector of Texas, immediately across the border from the Los Zetas cartel headquarters of Nuevo Laredo, Mexico.

The helicopter was in U.S. airspace and participating in the interdiction of a narcotics load coming from Mexico into the United States.

A federal agent who spoke with Breitbart Texas on the condition of anonymity said, “U.S. Border Patrol agents were attempting to intercept a drug load. A law enforcement chopper was assisting Border Patrol agents. The chopper received gunfire from the Mexican side of the border. The chopper had to do an emergency landing due to the gunfire.”

Border Patrol agent and National Border Patrol Council Local 2455 President Hector Garza confirmed that he received unofficial reports on this matter that indicate the information provided to Breitbart Texas by the unnamed federal agent is accurate.

UPDATES:

The shooting occurred in an area known as La Bota Ranch, a subdivision of Laredo, Texas. A source who operates under the umbrella of the CBP told Breitbart Texas that the narcotics trafficking event was a well-coordinated operation with individuals participating on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border. The shooting came from the Mexican side and all individuals fled and got away. The individuals on the U.S. side also got away into the state of Texas.

Another source close to the matter told Breitbart Texas that “at least five shots were fired from Mexico and three hit the CBP chopper. The source claimed that two shots hit the cabin and one hit the engine. Another source close to the matter told Breitbart Texas that two shots hit the engine and one hit the cabin. Both sources cited in this paragraph claimed that an agent in the cabin was not wearing a vest and had it stashed on the floor and that the vest being on the floor ultimately saved the agent’s life. Agents explained that their vests are often placed below them in choppers because any rounds would come from below.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation released this statement to Breitbart Texas:

On June 5, 2015, at approximately 5:00pm during an operational flight near the Rio Grande River in Laredo, Texas, a US Customs and Border Patrol (USCBP) helicopter was struck several times by ground fire. The rounds penetrated and damaged the aircraft, forcing the pilot to make an emergency landing. The pilot sustained no injuries and no individuals on the ground were affected. USCBP, FBI, Texas Rangers, Homeland Security Investigations and Laredo Police Department responded to the scene. The FBI has initiated an investigation and will continue processing the crime scene with the Texas Rangers. Since this is an ongoing matter, no further details will be provided at this time.
A map of the area is below:




http://www.breitbart.com/texas/2015/...n-from-mexico/

US, Mexico investigate CBP helicopter shooting

: JUNE 6, 2015 : Updated: June 6, 2015 12:49pm

LAREDO, Texas (AP) — U.S. and Mexican authorities are seeking suspects after a U.S. Customs and Border Protection helicopter was fired upon and forced to make an emergency landing in Laredo.

A CBP statement says the crew of the Office of Air and Marine helicopter was patrolling the US-Mexico border near the banks of the Rio Grande when attacked about 5:30 p.m. Friday. Bullets hit the ride side of the aircraft and the rotor blade, but the pilot was able to land safely with no injuries.

There was no word on from which side of the river the gunfire came, but the CBP statement says a coordinated investigation and search for suspects on both sides of the Rio Grande is ongoing.

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/tex...er-6311126.php

When proven the shots came from the Mexican side there is only one responsible response to this. It is every bit as serious as 9/11 and militarizing the border, carpet bombing Mexico City to knock out communication, then march across the border and do what is necessary when necessary to win as quickly as possible a surrender without conditions!! Declaring war is Congress' responsibility, not Obama's. So, we will know by Tuesday if our republican Congress has the gonads to defend us ahead of Syria, won't we? We surely will!!

What if we find out the shots came from a drunk cowboy from Texas?

Originally Posted by JohnDoe2

What if we find out the shots came from a drunk cowboy from Texas?

We arrest the drunk and the criminal courts will deal with him according to law. Remember the Alamo again though if the shot came from south of the border. I have no respect for nations that do not respect our law and sovereignty. There has been multiple cases of Mexican military violating our border, even one time aiming arms at our BP. I've had enough, those that have not can withdraw to Canada.

http://www.alipac.us/f19/third-froze...rizaba-320123/

http://www.alipac.us/f12/armored-bla...hopper-320253/

6/10/2015