U.S. Border Patrol agents rescued two illegal aliens who had crossed into the United States after receiving gunshot wounds in Mexico on August 2, 2024.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air and Marine Operations (AMO) aircrews and U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) agents partnered responded to a 911 call indicating undocumented non-citizens had been shot on the Mexican side of the border and had crossed into the United States near Papago Farms in Arizona.
According to CBP, the UH-60 crew diverted from its patrol and inserted a U.S. Border Patrol Search, Trauma, and Rescue (BORSTAR) team who triaged the illegal aliens.
The BORSTAR agents determined two people were in critical condition and required advanced medical care. One H125 aircrew conducted aerial overwatch while the other H125 aircrew coordinated civilian medical transport.
Upon learning that civilian aeromedical emergency medical service evacuation would be delayed, the UH-60 aircrew transferred the two critically wounded individuals directly to a medical center.
“Our crews are trained to respond to emergency situations,” stated Jose Muriente, Deputy Director of Air and Marine Operations, Tucson Air Branch. “The quick response and expertise of our aircrews and BORSTAR agents are crucial, especially when they encounter individuals with severe, life-threatening injuries.”
BORSTAR agents determined one of the men was uninjured, and another had a superficial gunshot wound to the arm. Border Patrol agents apprehended and processed the two illegal aliens.