BORSTAR deployed to Central Texas amid flooding

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Specially trained Border Patrol agents from El Paso were deployed to assist with search, rescue and recovery efforts amid flash flooding caused by heavy rain in Central Texas.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) made the announcement on Monday, July 7, in a news release.

CBP said that on Friday, July 4, emergency response crews from across the agency were dispatched to the Texas Hill Country to help with search and rescue efforts.

The team includes personnel from Border Patrol Search Trauma and Rescue (BORSTAR), the Office of Field Operations, and helicopter air crews from Air and Marine Operations, CBP said.

According to CBP, BORSTAR is located at the U.S. Border Patrol’s Special Operations Group (SOG) headquarters on Fort Bliss in El Paso. However, there are also Border Patrol Special Operations detachments at the various Border Patrol sectors.

“CBP is committed to the safety of our communities and will contribute our unique capabilities when asked to assist state and local authorities to respond and to recover from this devastating flooding,” Nason Hinman, patrol agent in charge of Del Rio Border Patrol Sector’s Special Operations Detachment who is leading the CBP flood response, said. “As the nation’s largest law enforcement agency, CBP personnel from around the nation are often called to action during emergencies and work tirelessly to help those in need.”

CBP added that the agency has responded to numerous natural disasters over the years, including hurricanes and various flooding events, and is always ready to assist other federal, state, and local agencies during emergencies.

Additionally, Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks said on X on Monday:

“When our partners call, BORSTAR answers. No matter how dangerous the situation, they deploy. Combining elite rescue skills, emergency medical care, and tactical readiness, their mission is rooted in rapid, precise, and compassionate response when it matters most.”