On 14 July 2006, the first EC120 B Colibri manufactured by American Eurocopter - at its Columbus site in Mississippi - was delivered to the US Customs and Border Protection.

American Eurocopter organized a ceremony at its Columbus site in Mississippi to celebrate the delivery of the first EC120 B Colibri to the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Guests included representatives of the department of Homeland Security and Border Protection, the Mississippi State government, and local industry.

The US Customs and Border Protection has ordered an initial batch of ten EC120 B Colibris to replace its current fleet of Hughes OH-6 aircraft. “The arrival of the EC120 constitutes a major step in the modernization of the Air & Marine Corps of the CBP,” explained Michael Kostelnik, Assistant Commissioner of the CBP Air & Marine unit.
“These aircraft will considerably improve our capacity to protect the border of the south west coast of the United States. With the EC120 B, we will be able to improve support to our agents on the ground, operating in the front line.”
From its new ‘eye in the sky’, the US Customs and Border Protection will provide effective surveillance, including at low altitude, of people trying to illegally enter the United States or criminals operating along the US border, especially in areas that are only accessible by helicopter.

The US Customs and Border Protection chose the EC120 B Colibri for its excellent visibility and maneuverability, low noise and very high safety levels. To ensure maximum operational capability, the CBP will equip its EC120 B Colibris with night vision goggles, powerful searchlights, and a special communications system. The other nine aircraft should be delivered between August 2006 and April 2007, and all of them will be assembled, customized, tested and delivered by American Eurocopter at its Columbus plant where the majority of the UH-145 helicopters for the US Army will be assembled.

(> see feature article on page 18).