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MERIDA INITIATIVE PROGRAM DESCRIPTION REFERENCE DOCUMENT MEXICAN SECURITY COOPERATION PLAN FY 2008 Supplemental Request: $500 MillionFY 2009 Budget Request: $450 Million
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Group I - Counternarcotics, Counterterrorism and BorderSecurity
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Budget Line Item: Group I Counternarcotics, Counterterrorism, and Border Security1. Counternarcotics and traffickingRadar and Aerial Surveillance Office of the Attorney General (PGR) Program Name: Refurbish and complete equipping of 2 Citation surveillanceaircraft for the Office of the Attorney General (PGR). Funding Requirements: $2,800,000 (FY 2008 Supplemental Request)$0 (FY 2009 Budget Request) Program Description: This program will upgrade the sensors (radar, forward looking infrared[FUR], computers, etc.), provide additional crew training, and improveairworthiness of the aircraft. The aircraft refurbishments will include engineoverhauls, acquisition of spare engines, and structural repairs. Upgrading thesensors and addressing the airworthiness issues should extend the service life ofthese key interdiction aircraft for another 10-15 years. Equipment: The two Cessna Citation II 550s were acquired by the PGR in theearly '90s. They are the same model of aircraft used by DHS/Customs and BorderProtection. This model was selected because of its wide speed range (i.e., it can goslow with smaller aircraft, as well as overtake such higher performance turbopropaircraft as Beechcraft King Airs). End use monitoring will be implemented toensure that the equipment will be used in accordance with U.S. and Mexican laws. Mexican Government Contribution: PGR will provide the planes, crews and operational costs. Impact of the program: Interdiction is a major component of the Mexican strategy to meet the threatposed by organized crime, and maintaining an aerial tracking and interceptcapability is key to its success. These two aircraft are the PGR's sole intercept andtracking platforms and are thus critical elements of an interdiction model that usesthese planes to identify the target and then incorporates Mexico's fleet of transporthelicopters to bring in additional support. These aircraft are mission-critical to
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Mexico's interception of aerial trafficking and to reducing the flow of drugs, arms,or other illicit cargo across our shared border, greatly assisting in overcomingexisting gaps in the coverage.
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Budget Line Item: Group I Counternarcotics, Counterterrorism, and Border Security1. Counternarcotics and traffickingLand and Maritime Interdiction Mexican Army/Air Force (SEDEÑA) Program Name: Eight Transport Helicopters (Bell 412 EP), Training,Maintenance, Parts, and Night Vision Equipment Funding Requirements: $104,000,000 (FY 2008 Supplemental Request)$0 (FY 2009 Budget Request) Program Description: This program will provide the Mexican Air Force (SEDEÑA) with eightBell Helicopter (BH) 412 EP medium-lift utility helicopters to supportcounternarcotics and counterterrorism missions. Most importantly, thesehelicopters will give the Mexican Air Force a complete squadron of BH 412helicopters (the Mexican Air Force has four BH 412 helicopters on hand) that canprovide mobility to rapid reaction forces. Equipment: The BH-412 is a medium lift utility helicopter with a capacity of up to 13passengers, a range of 423 nautical miles, and a cruise speed of 130 nautical milesper hour (performance statistics are dependent on actual mission requirements andweather). The aircraft can also be configured for cargo operations, to include theuse of an external sling. These aircraft will be equipped for day and night flight, aswell as instrument flying and operations with night vision goggles. End usemonitoring will be implemented to ensure that the equipment will be used inaccordance with U.S. and Mexican laws. Maintenance and Training: The package includes logistics support (primarily spare parts and limitedtechnical support) for two years for the eight helicopters in the package and thefour Government of Mexico (GOM) helicopters already in service. Maintenancewill be conducted by experienced SEDEÑA personnel. The aircraft will be flownby experienced Mexican Air Force pilots who will receive transition training(training experienced pilots to fly a new type of helicopter), which is included inthe package. SEDEÑA will purchase fuel for the aircraft. Mexican Government Contribution:
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SEDEÑA will provide crews and fuel. In addition to four Bell 412s,SEDEÑA currently has about 20 Bell 212s, some of which are being phased out. Impact of the program: The BH-412 will improve SEDENA's ability to quickly deploy rapidreaction forces, which is essential for the successful interdiction of drugs, arms andpersons. It will also complement the elements of the larger assistance package,which focus on improving Mexico's intelligence and law enforcement capability.
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Budget Line Item: Group I Counternarcotics, Counterterrorism, and Border Security1. Counternarcotics and traffickingLand and Maritime Interdiction Mexican Army/Air Force (SEDEÑA) Program Name: Army Mobile Gamma Ray Non-Intrusive Inspection Equipment.Army checkpoints within Mexico's interior region, complementing police efforts. Funding Requirements: $0 (FY 2008 Supplemental Request) $20,200,000 (FY 2009 Budget Request) Program Description: This program will provide SEDEÑA with mobile gamma ray non-intrusiveinspection equipment (NIIE) to support interdiction efforts at interior checkpoints,in collaboration with the Secretariat of Public Security (SSP) Federal Police.SEDENA's logistical capabilities allow it to deny routes to traffickers in the mostremote areas. SEDENA's role in interdiction fills a gap among Government ofMexico (GOM) law enforcement agencies Equipment: This package will provide mobile gamma ray NIIE for SEDEÑA. USGsupport will provide the latest technology, the same utilized by the DHS/CBP tomaximize interoperability and joint tactical training. End use monitoring will beimplemented to ensure that the equipment will be used in accordance with U.S. andMexican laws. Maintenance and Training: The proposed package will include a standard maintenance package for themobile gamma ray NIIE. Once the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)maintenance ends, we expect that these units will be integrated into a nationalservice maintenance program for all GOM NIIE planned to be created under themanagement of the Mexican Customs Service. SEDEÑA has already indicatedthe desirability of such a central facility and wants to count itself among its future clients Budget Line Item: Group I Counternarcotics, Counterterrorism and Border Security1. Counternarcotics and TraffickingLand and Maritime Interdiction Mexican Army/ Air Force (SEDEÑA) Program Name: Ion Scanners Funding Requirements: $1,500,000 (FY 2008 Supplemental Request)$0 (FY 2009 Budget Request) Program Description: This program will provide SEDEÑA with ion scanners (a type of non-intrusive inspection equipment or NTIE) to detect illicit drugs and precursors, aswell as firearms, ammunition, and explosives. SEDENA's logistical capabilitiesallow it to deny routes to traffickers in the most remote areas. SEDENA's role ininterdiction fills a gap among Government of Mexico (GOM) law enforcementagencies and use of ion scanners is necessary for Mexico to mount a robustinterdiction system. Equipment: The ion scanners are molecular detectors capable of identifying bothexplosives and narcotics. These devices assist in making rapid, preliminaryassessments of suspicious items that security forces could encounter whileconducting routine or countemarcotics/counterterrorism operations. Thistechnology, along with the totality of available information, permits informeddecisions leading to the capture of more contraband and traffickers. End usemonitoring will be implemented to ensure that the equipment will be used inaccordance with U.S. and Mexican laws. Maintenance and Training The proposed package will include a standard maintenance package for theion scanners. Once the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) maintenanceends, we expect that these units will be integrated into a national servicemaintenance program for all GOM NIIE planned to be created with the guidance ofDHS/CBP and under the management of the Mexican Customs Service.SEDEÑA has already indicated the desirability of such a central facility and wantsto count itself among its future clients. Department of Homeland Security office ofCustoms and Border Protection (DHS/CBP) can train on their proper tactical use.
there is much more if you want
