By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
HOULTON, Maine — The Houlton Air Branch of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection has finally replaced a helicopter damaged during a Jan. 17 crash and fire at the Houlton International Airport.
Michelle Benson-Fuller, Customs and Border Protection public affairs specialist, said Tuesday that the Houlton Air Branch received a replacement helicopter on March 8 from the Great Lakes Air and Marine Branch.
Back on Jan. 17, an Office of Air and Marine AS-350 helicopter crashed and subsequently caught fire after an engine anomaly was detected. Two air interdiction agents successfully performed an emergency landing at the Houlton, Maine International Airport, but the helicopter was severely damaged. The agents were not injured.
“While the engine anomaly investigation is still pending, requiring additional examination, the replacement AS-350 2B1 single-engine light enforcement helicopter will further assist the Houlton Air Branch agents in their border enforcement operations in Maine,” Benson-Fuller stated in a press release.
The American Eurocopter AS-350 Light Enforcement Helicopter is a short-range, turbine-powered helicopter used to perform missions such as aerial patrol and surveillance of stationary or moving targets. The LEH is an optimal aerial surveillance platform due to their vertical lift capability and maneuverability.
Among the features on the new helicopter are an infrared detection system, which detects radiation created by objects warmer or colder than ambient temperature; an UltraMedia law enforcement camera; and night vision goggle compatibility.
