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 high-tech systems positioned along the South Texas border.
It’s the first surveillance airship 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 about 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 stated on Monday from his office at the Zapata County Courthouse.
A local mentioned she has heard that some individuals are worried 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 they can identify and monitor unauthorized border activities from above. These devices are fitted with numerous cameras and detection systems, offering a radar coverage of 200 miles and camera visibility ranging between 25 to 40 miles.
The devices filled with helium measure more than 185 feet in length and 62 feet in width, and have a weight 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.
Recent sightings in South Texas have included an aerostat located north of Roma, in the far western part of Starr County, approximately 45 miles to the east, as well as another one 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 severe storms.
A balloon 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 retired military veterans — who handle the raising and lowering of the blimps. CBP staff manage the surveillance operations, and much of the equipment was obtained as surplus from the Army’s efforts in the Afghanistan War.
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 reduce 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 how extensive its radar and camera capabilities are. 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 border security is enhanced 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 could be the choice that benefits our region the most. I’m optimistic that we can continue monitoring through manpower without constructing any additional border infrastructure in our county, but we’ll have to see,” he said.
Sandra Sanchez is available via email at [email protected].
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