Kiowas to Patrol Southern U.S. Border

The first of three dozen upgraded and overhauled Bell Helicopter OH-58 Kiowas are scheduled to go into service to boost Operation Jump Start, a National Guard mission to patrol the U.S./Mexican border. The Vietnam-era aircraft are being refitted with radios to enable better communication with Border Patrol agents and other civilian law enforcement officers, moving maps, radar  altimeters, night-vision equipment, and a 2-million candlepower spotlight.The Kiowas will help the border patrol’s ability to spot those who traffic in both people and drugs.       For related news