The dark shadow of an upgraded United States Customs

The dark shadow of an upgraded United States Customs and Border Protection UH-1N helicopter contrasts with the desert terrain below during flight activities in support of the Border Patrol in the Big Bend Sector Dec. 6, 2019. The flight was conducted by the Alpine Air unit, which falls under AMO's El Paso Air Branch using a refurbished Bell UH-1N Iroquois helicopter with extended skids allowing landings in rough terrain. Big Bend Sector includes over one-quarter of the United States' southern border and use of helicopters for air-mobility operations to move Border Patrol agents and supplies in and out of the areas' harsh terrain has increased apprehensions and seizures of narcotics. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection photo/Greg L. Davis)