RCMP takes flight at the border in new helicopter

By Southern Alberta Newspapers on January 30, 2025.

The RCMP says a recently acquired Black Hawk helicopter is in service patrolling Alberta’s international boundary with Montana, and could be seen by southeast Alberta residents on patrols.
Another of two military-style helicopters, acquired earlier this month by the federal agency to ramp up border security as trade tensions mount between Ottawa and Washington, was unveiled in Montreal on Wednesday.
That, along with the new western-based aircraft, brings the federal police force’s helicopter fleet in border service to 11 vehicles.
“The range and speed of the Black Hawk allows it to be deployed very quickly to any location along the Alberta border; providing the RCMP with an enhanced rapid-response capability within the province,” said RCMP assistant commissioner Lisa Moreland, regional commander of federal policing in the northwest region, in a release. “The Black Hawk is without a doubt an additional and very important air asset that has been brought in to help keep our border with the United Sates secure.”
The release continues that the Black Hawk will be used for regular patrols, and residents should not worry over a particular cause for any public safety concern.
That comes as Alberta has given new authority to Alberta Sheriffs to conduct commercial inspections, and bought new drone aircraft and designated a strip at the near 300-kilometre Alberta-Montana border.
In Edmonton, Premier Danielle Smith said the effort is an attempt to smooth out dispute with new U.S. President Donald Trump who has made border security a major issue, threatening heavy tariffs for inaction.
“I want to thank the federal government for accepting Alberta’s request and sending a Black Hawk helicopter to the border, further demonstrating the actions we are taking to secure the border, showcasing our collective action at the border,” she told a press conference.
“We want to ensure the American people along with their president and elected representatives that we are taking action on this issue.”
The RCMP has not responded to requests from Southern Alberta Newspapers about the operational range and location of the helicopter base.
Photos that accompany the press release show mountain ranges in the background, but manned and unmanned aerial surveillance of the border could extend eastward toward Saskatchewan.
Ranchers located in far south Cypress County told the News last month they often see that style of military helicopter patrolling the U.S. side of the border for U.S. security efforts.

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