Senate Appropriations Committee Agrees to Provide $12 Million to Establish Northern Border Air Wing in Michigan

WASHINGTON – Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., applauded Senate approval of an amendment to provide $105 million for the Northern Border Air Wings, $12 million of which is intended for a new site in Michigan. Levin has been instrumental in securing the air wing in Michigan. The amendment, authored by Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.V., provides funding for numerous border security infrastructure enhancements.

“The Northern Border Air Wings enhance law enforcement, surveillance, and response capabilities along our northern border,” Sen. Levin said. “Its location in Southeast Michigan places it in close proximity to three of our nation’s busiest border crossings, the Great Lakes, and several major ports along the St. Lawrence Seaway. This site in Michigan will provide an additional layer of air and marine border security along a critical section of our Northern Border.”

The Northern Border Air Wing initiative, launched by the Department of Homeland Security in August 2004, is designed to maximize security along the U.S. - Canadian border. Original plans called for five Northern Border Air Wings to be established in New York, Washington, North Dakota, Montana and Michigan. The other sites have previously been established.

Sen. Byrd, ranking Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, agreed to the $12 funding level in a colloquy entered into the Congressional Record.

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