U.S. Customs and Border Protection photo by Ozzy Treviño.
TUCSON, Ariz. — A CBP AMO (Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations) UH-60 Black Hawk aircrew rescue a 37-year-old injured woman trapped in Baboquivari Mountains, Arizona. Monday, June 5, 2023.
Arizona Air Coordination Center received a 911 call from the injured Guatemalan woman, which led the Tucson Air Branch to dispatch a CBP AMO UH-60 Black Hawk aircrew to locate the caller.
Once on scene, the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter aircrew assessed the situation and elected to insert a Rescue Specialist, who is also an EMT (Emergency Medical Technical), by way of a 100-foot hoist.
Once the woman was triaged, she was packaged by the RS the injured on Air Rescue Vest and a successful hoist extraction was conducted. The patient was flown to the San Miguel Forward Operating Base, where she was taken by Sells emergency medical services (EMS) to Sells Indian Hospital for further evaluation and treatment.
“Our mission is to provide unwavering commitment to the preservation of life no matter the scenario,” said Tucson Air Branch Deputy Director Jose Muriente. “Our personnel are outfitted with the latest equipment and technology to provide humanitarian assistance to people experiencing unforgiving terrain often resulting in injuries and even loss of life.”
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations
In Fiscal Year 2022, AMO enforcement actions resulted in 967 arrests and 134,981 apprehensions of undocumented individuals, as well as the seizure or disruption of 250,616 pounds of cocaine, 1,475 pounds of fentanyl, 25,625 pounds of methamphetamine, 1,342 weapons, and $21.7 million.
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Arizona Air Coordination Center received a 911 call from the injured Guatemalan woman, which led the Tucson Air Branch to dispatch a CBP AMO UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter aircrew to locate and rescue the caller.
The rugged terrain prevented other responders from accessing her location. A fire, which was started by the caller, was a cause for concern and also contributed to the hoist necessity.
The Rescue Specialist assessed the woman and moved her to a safer location where a lower hoist could be conducted. The woman was successfully extracted from the mountains and transported to a nearby hospital for further evaluation.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection video.
CBP Air and Marine Operations.
Department of Homeland Security.
