Washington – In partnership with the Department of Defense (DoD), CBP will begin to test and evaluate whether equipment no longer being used by DoD can be re-purposed for CBP border security efforts in the United States.

This week in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, CBP will evaluate “aerostats,” large, balloon-like devices that would allow CBP personnel to view activity along the border. Additional equipment will be evaluated in the coming months.

CBP detects, identifies, monitors and responds to threats to our Nation’s borders. The evaluation of former DoD equipment and technology will support CBP’s ongoing efforts to leverage and maximize resources effectively and efficiently.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control, and protection of our Nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.