The Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk serves as a core platform within U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), operated by Air and Marine Operations (AMO) as a medium-lift tactical helicopter for border security and emergency response. Adapted from its military origins, the Black Hawk supports counter-smuggling missions, rapid insertion of agents into remote areas, search and rescue (SAR) operations using hoist systems, and disaster relief efforts. CBP and its predecessor, the U.S. Customs Service, have operated the type for over 40 years, beginning with the delivery of the first UH-60A in 1983. Subsequent milestones include fleet expansion in 1988 with surplus U.S. Army aircraft replacing older Hueys, the introduction of UH-60M variants between 2007 and 2009, and a 2014 program to acquire modified UH-60L models to standardize the fleet.
Equipped with advanced avionics and mission systems, including digital glass cockpits in UH-60M variants, forward-looking infrared (FLIR) sensors, and synchronized searchlights, the aircraft provides enhanced situational awareness in day and night operations. Typically crewed by a pilot, copilot, and crew member, it can carry up to 11 personnel and features ballistic protection for high-risk law enforcement missions. Continued modernization has extended service life and improved performance, with Black Hawks reintroduced to high-priority regions such as El Paso in 2020 to replace aging UH-1N helicopters, ensuring the platform remains a critical asset for homeland security and public safety missions.
Equipped with advanced avionics and mission systems, including digital glass cockpits in UH-60M variants, forward-looking infrared (FLIR) sensors, and synchronized searchlights, the aircraft provides enhanced situational awareness in day and night operations. Typically crewed by a pilot, copilot, and crew member, it can carry up to 11 personnel and features ballistic protection for high-risk law enforcement missions. Continued modernization has extended service life and improved performance, with Black Hawks reintroduced to high-priority regions such as El Paso in 2020 to replace aging UH-1N helicopters, ensuring the platform remains a critical asset for homeland security and public safety missions.
As of February 2019, the US Dept of Homeland Security (DHS), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Air and Marine Operations (AMO) has currently 16 UH-60M Black Hawks, (among over 260 other aircraft asets of 26 different types.) The US Customs Service Aviation, at the time under the US Treasury Dept, had been using different aicraft, both fixed wing and rotorcraft, since 1922. The UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter fleet program began in US Customs Service Aviaiton in 1986, initially with the transfer of 16 UH-60A variant models from the US Army.. Then, when the DHS was formed in 2003, US Customs Service was abolished and all its aircraft and its pilot/agents were transferred entirely from the US Treasury Dept into the new Dept of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection. Air and Marine Operations. Over the years the old UH-60A models were replaced with the UH-60M variant and they all got the characteristic black with gold stripe paint job.
