ZAPATA, Texas (Border Report) — A large, anchored air surveillance balloon floats above the skies of the rural ranching community of Zapata, Texas.
Residents spotted the Tethered Aerostat Radar System earlier this week, one of the latest costly advanced systems placed along the South Texas border.
It’s the first surveillance balloon to be used in this area in several years, Judge Joe Rathmell of Zapata County told Border Report. He mentioned that he hasn’t received any complaints regarding it.
“I haven’t received any feedback, particularly negative remarks, coming to my office regarding the aerostat being back online. As you know, we had one a few years ago and it was shut down,” Rathmell said on Monday from his office at the Zapata County Courthouse.
A local mentioned she has heard that some individuals are concerned that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents could be monitoring residents from the air. Another person, a truck driver, expressed support for any type of border security that would prevent unauthorized entry. However, none wished to be identified or have their pictures taken.
Aerostats are managed by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Air and Marine Operations division and are capable of identifying and monitoring unauthorized border activities from above. These devices are fitted with numerous cameras and detection systems, offering a radar coverage of 200 miles and visual range for cameras between 25 to 40 miles.
Helium-filled units measure more than 185 feet in length and 62 feet in width, with weights ranging from 1,200 to 2,400 pounds, as reported by CBP.
CBP states that there are eight aerostat locations along the Southwest border, stretching from Cameron County, near the Gulf, to Tucson, Arizona.
Recently, several aerostats have been observed in South Texas, such as one located north of Roma in western Starr County, approximately 45 miles east, and another in Rio Grande City, roughly 55 miles east of Zapata.
A balloon typically hovers over western Hidalgo County in the La Joya region, but only when the powerful Gulf winds subside.
Aerostats are unable to operate in strong winds or storms.
An airship that had been secured at the edge of South Padre Island, facing the Gulf,escaped in powerful winds in Marchand the remains fell into a field approximately 600 miles away in Quinlan, Texas, near Dallas.
The units are costly, with monthly expenses reaching $4,000,000 for contractors—primarily former military veterans—involved in raising and lowering the blimps. CBP staff manage the surveillance operations, and the majority of the equipment was obtained as surplus from the Army’s efforts during the Afghanistan conflict.
This is why U.S. Representative Henry Cuellar, a Democrat from Texas, has long wondered why CBP staff aren’t trained to operate the aerostats and cut those expenses.
There have also been talks about replacing the aerostats with more advanced systems provided by the Department of Defense.
Border Report has inquired with CBP about the device flying over Zapata, asking if it is a newer model and the extent of its radar and camera capabilities. The story will be updated once more information becomes available.
TheThe budget bill approved by President Donald Trump on July 4 allocates more than $3 billion for advanced border technology.and $2.7 billion allocated for advanced border monitoring systems.
Rathmell expresses his hope that if enhanced border security is implemented in this area of South Texas, it will involve additional aerostats and personnel, rather than constructing a border barrier.
“We’re discussing the aerostat and I hope that due to Falcon Lake, this might be the choice that benefits our region the most. I’m optimistic that we can continue monitoring with personnel and avoid constructing any additional border structures in our county, but we’ll have to see,” he said.
Sandra Sanchez is available via email at [email protected].
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