AMO and BORSTAR Rescue Injured Hunter

TUCSON, Ariz. — Air and Marine Operations (AMO) Black Hawk Crew and Border Patrol Search, Trauma, and Rescue (BORSTAR) Operators perform air rescue of a hunter who had fallen in rough terrain and sustained a suspected fractured leg.

On February 21, an AMO UH-60 Black Hawk assigned to the Tucson Air Branch was requested by Pima County Sherriff Department to assist with locating and extracting an injured hunter near Arivaca, AZ. The crew partnered with a Tucson Sector BORSTAR Team to conduct the mission. After a brief aerial search, the aircraft located the injured hunter and deployed two BORSTAR EMT’s via a 30-foot Fast Rope insertion due to the dangerous terrain. The EMT’s assessed the injured hunter and stabilized the injured leg. The individual was located in a very austere location with no vehicle access. The aircrew determined that an air extraction utilizing the Fast Rope Insertion Extraction System was necessary to remove the patient from the elements and transfer to higher care.

“This rescue is a testament to our unmatched aviation precision capabilities,” said Jose Muriente, AMO Deputy Director, Tucson Air Branch. “I am incredibly proud of the professionalism our UH-60 crew and BORSTAR team showed today, to save the life of this hunter.”

BORSTAR EMT’s prepped the injured hunter in an Air Rescue Vest for extraction and safely extracted to patient to a nearby paved road where additional BORSTAR EMT’s were waiting to accept the injured hunter. The injured hunter was ultimately transferred to the Arivaca Fire Department for follow on care and hospital transport.

AMO safeguards our Nation by anticipating and confronting security threats through our aviation and maritime law enforcement expertise, innovative capabilities, and partnerships at the border and beyond. AMO conducts its mission in the air and maritime environments throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands.

Follow the CBP on X; AMO at @CBPAMO, the Chief of Tucson Sector @USBPChiefTCA and also U.S. Customs and Border Protection at @CBPArizona for breaking news, current events, human interest stories and photos.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is America's frontline: the nation's largest law enforcement organization and the world's first unified border management agency. The 65,000+ men and women of CBP protect America on the ground, in the air, and on the seas. We facilitate safe, lawful travel and trade and ensure our country's economic prosperity. We enhance the nation's security through innovation, intelligence, collaboration, and trust.