HARLINGEN, Texas (Border Report) — Specialized Border Patrol teams have been sent to Central Texas to help with the devastating flooding and search and rescue efforts.
Agents with the Border Patrol Search Trauma and Rescue (BORSTAR) units from across the United States are helping in the rescue efforts, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said Monday.
Over 100 people, including dozens of children, reportedly died from catastrophic flooding early Friday in the Hill Country of Central Texas about 65 miles northwest of San Antonio.
“When our partners call, BORSTAR answers. No matter how dangerous the situation, they deploy. Combining elite rescue skills, emergency medical care, and tactical readiness, their mission is rooted in rapid, precise, and compassionate response when it matters most,” Border Patrol Chief Agent Michael Banks posted on X on Monday.
“CBP is committed to the safety of our communities and will contribute our unique capabilities when asked to assist state and local authorities to respond and to recover from this devastating flooding,” said Nason Hinman, Patrol Agent in Charge of Del Rio Border Patrol Sector’s Special Operations Detachment, who is leading the CBP flood response.
“As the nation’s largest law enforcement agency, CBP personnel from around the nation are often called to action during emergencies and work tirelessly to help those in need,” Hinman said.
The BORSTAR Unit was created in 1998 in response to the growing number of injuries to Border Patrol agents and migrant deaths along our nation’s borders. BORSTAR is located at the U.S. Border Patrol’s Special Operations Group (SOG) headquarters in El Paso, Texas, according to CBP.
It is a highly competitive unit and agents who are selected must be proficient in search and
rescue techniques, tactical medicine, technical rescue, land navigation, communication, swift-water rescue, and air operations,
It is the only national law enforcement search and rescue entity with the capability to conduct tactical medical, search and rescue training for federal, state, local and international government agencies, according to CBP.
Sandra Sanchez can be reached at SSanchez@BorderReport.com.
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