CBP in Houston Prohibit Eggs from Endangered Sea Turtle

Houston - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers and agriculture specialists commonly discover exotic food items concealed in passengers’ luggage, after all, international cuisine is for a cultured palate; however, when bringing items that are found on the endangered species list, they will not wind up on the dinner table.An international traveler arriving from El Salvador was attempting to import 12 sea turtle eggs. All species of sea turtles are endangered and their importation is prohibited by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.“Our officers are vigilant and committed to enforcing all U.S. laws including those protecting our endangered species,” said Houston CBP Director of Field Operations, Jeffrey O. Baldwin.The endangered sea turtle eggs were seized and turned over to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The eggs will be sent to South Padre Island, Texas where they will undergo DNA analysis.The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is currently investigating the matter.U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Air Force Announces Basing Candidates for an Active Duty Air Force MQ-1/9 Remote Split Operations Squadron

IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 891-11October 20, 2011 Air Force officials announced today Davis Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz.; Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii; and Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., as the candidate bases for one active duty Air Force MQ-1/9 remote split operations squadron. The list of candidate bases was approved by Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz. These bases are now candidates to accept a single active duty MQ-1/9 RSO squadron consisting of 280 personnel and associated equipment. No remotely piloted aircraft will be assigned to the base under this action, only a ground control station. The Department of Defense identified MQ-1/9 as one of the key Air Force capabilities in the current fight and for national defense. The primary mission of an MQ-1/9 RSO squadron is to execute MQ-1/9 Predator/Reaper aircraft operations that conduct close air support, air interdiction, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. Air Combat Command will begin conducting detailed, on-the-ground evaluations of the candidate bases covering a range of operational and facility requirements. The results of the surveys will be briefed to the secretary of the Air Force and Air Force chief of staff, who will then select a preferred alternative. Based on the results of these efforts, officials expect to announce the preferred alternative in December 2011.