CPB Orion operations

Rarely information is given about the operations of the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Air and Marine Operations (AMO) National Air Security Operations Center (NASOC) P-3A/B and P-3AEW&C fleet.

On 20 January 2021, a radome equipped P-3B worked with federal and international partners to disrupt a smuggling attempt in the Caribbean. Following that joint operation, the Dominican Republic (DOMREP) authorities successfully recovered more than a quarter ton of cocaine denying narcotics traffickers nearly USD 8,8 million USD in illicit proceeds.

The NASOC P-3 Airborne Early Warning (AEW) crew tracked a suspicious 25-foot go fast vessel (GFV) with three individuals on board. US Air Force aircraft assumed surveillance of the suspect vessel from the P-3 crew and coordinated with Joint Interagency Task Force - South (JIATF-S) and DOMREP law enforcement interceptor vessels for interdiction. Host nation authorities detained three individuals and seized 511 pounds of cocaine.

This interdiction was conducted under Campaign Martillo, a counter-narcotics operation to disrupt transnational criminal organizations that threaten global security and prosperity. Campaign Martillo is supported by SOUTHCOM, and led by JIATF-S.

AMO has two P-3 NASOCs, located in Jacksonville (FL) and Corpus Christi (TX). These P-3 aircraft operate throughout North, Central and South America in defense of the borders of the USA and to prevent attempts to smuggle persons or contraband.

The Scramble database identifies the following Orion within the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air and Marine Operations (AMO):

Scramble loves to learn and collect from you the status, recent sightings and photos of these rare Orions.

AMO safeguards the USA by anticipating and confronting security threats through  aviation and maritime law enforcement expertise. The AMO operates with some 240 (!) aircraft throughout the USA, Puerto Rico, and US Virgin Islands.

Photo by CPB