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This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential
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George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
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Speechwriting, White House Office of
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Speech File Draft Files
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"C-3-I East" Dedication, 4/28/89
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26
15
6
7
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Miami, Florida)
For Immediate Release
April 27, 1989
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
DURING "C-3-I EAST" DEDICATION
U.S. Coast Guard Communications Station
Miami, Florida
11:40 A.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, Commissioner, and thank all of
you very much for that warm welcome. Please be seated. Commissioner
Von Raab, my thanks to you, sir, for that warm introduction. My
respects to Admiral Yost, who has not neglected the Coast Guard's
significant role in interdiction, but has found time to take a
crucial leadership role as we battle against the environmental
disaster up thousands of miles away in Prince William Sound, where
the Coast Guard has performed in a superb fashion.
I'm delighted to see Admiral Kelso here, and, of course,
it is most appropriate that Dick Thornburgh, our outstanding Attorney
General be at my side today, as he was along with the Commissioner
two or three days ago in California, where we were reviewing a site
in a peaceful mountain area that had been taken over by a drug
warlord in this country. And the effort had been broken up by the
cooperative efforts, some of which we see on display here today. And
SO it's a pleasure, Dick, that you joined us once again.
To my friend, Governor Martinez. I want to say to him I
am grateful for the effort that Florida is putting into this effort.
This war, this effort will not be successful without the involvements
of states and local communities and the private sector. And Bob
Martinez has led the way and, I might say, ably assisted at the
national level by Senator Gramm and Senator Mack, who are with us
today, too.
And I'd be remiss if I didn't single out two United
States congressmen -- if I hurt feelings, sorry, I just missed you --
but Congressman Bilirakis and Congressman Young, two of Florida's
greats are with us here today as well.
The dedication of this facility -- I am privileged to
have a part in that. And as I do, let me lay to rest just one
popular misconception that's brought home to me by the drill we saw
inside. You know, in this country, there's an image of a drug
smuggler, some still think of as a grizzled character with some
Hawaiian shirt, leather jacket, perhaps the long hair, beard tucked
underneath an aviator's hat -- beard tucked underneath his helmet
from some secondhand shop -- expected to be flying in a jump plane by
the seat of his pants. And you know best, you here, how that popular
image lacks reality. All too often, the drug smuggler is an
excellent pilot or seaman, with a jet or an expensive boat equipped
with the latest communications and other sophisticated equipment. In
short, he has everything that drug money can buy. And junking an
airplane at sea can just be the cost of doing business on one run.
To identify and interdict this new breed of sophisticated
drug smugglers, we must do more than match the resources of the
multibillion-dollar drug empire. And that's what we've done here, at
C-3-I East, a nerve center in this war on drugs. Think of this as
one of America's drug war situation rooms, as our early warning
network against narcotics.
This facility, jointly commanded by the U.S. Customs
MORE
- 2 -
Service and the Coast Guard, is an important part of our grand
strategy in the war on drugs. And from here, we will be able to
detect, track, identify and apprehend suspected smugglers operating
vessels and aircraft. This is the second such facility to come on
line, joining one in Riverside, California, to guard more than 3,600
miles of our nation's southern flank. In time, this facilty alone
will watch the skies from Brownsville, Texas, to Puerto Rico, and
across the entire Eastern Seaboard.
Four years in planning and construction, this facility is
dedicated to the principles of unity and cooperation, principles that
are essential to repel the drug invasion, of America. This facility
provides the best example of how agencies will work together to wage
the war on drugs. From this site, civilian and defense radars will
work together, under the watchful eye of the Coast Guard and Customs
duty officers, who will coordinate interception by federal, state and
local law enforcement agencies. -- whether that means scrambling a jet
fighter, Coast Guard cutter, speedboats guided by the Blue Lightening
Strike force.
America's response to airborne smuggling is especially
dramatic, growing from a rag-tag collection of twin-engine planes
that were seized in the first instance from the smugglers, into a,
highly sophisticated fleet of aircraft equipped with sensors designed
for a unique law enforcement mission. And Customs has a fleet of
chase planes and Black Hawk helicopters on loan from the Army. The
Coast Guard operates Falcon jets with infrared sensors and
interceptor radar just like those on the F16. These are just some of
the birds of prey that will relentlessly search the skies for drug
smugglers.
As impressive as this high-tech effort is, it's only as
effective as the men and women who manage it. And it is with this in
mind that I salute those in the field, who are risk of every single
day in the war against drugs. But I also want to salute the officers
who will staff this post, for every technician in this room and this
area knows that the lives of his colleagues will be on the line.
This is a special responsibility that takes a special kind of
courage.
Our purpose is simple and close to home -- to keep drugs
out of the lockers, the classrooms and off the playgrounds of our
schools; to redeem the children of America from the scourge of drugs.
In the months and years ahead, you will count kilos of
cocaine and mountains of marijuana seized from the ships and the
planes. And you'll never know how many lives will be saved by your
efforts. But never forget, that saving lives is what this is all
about; saving lives is exactly what you are doing.
so, Commissioner and Admiral, I thank you, and I salute
from the bottom of my heart the men and women of Customs and the
Coast Guard for all that they have done and for all that they will
do. Thank you all and God bless you. Thank you very much.
(Applause.)
END
11:48 A.M. EDT
Document No. 028807
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
4/22/89
DATE:
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: "C-3-I EAST" DEDICATION
RICHMOND HEIGHTS, FLORIDA
SUBJECT:
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1989/ (t.b.d.)
(4/21 draft two)
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
DARMAN
STUDDERT
BATES
UNTERMEYER
BREEDEN
ROGERS
CARD
WINSTON
CICCONI
PINKERTON
DEMAREST
FITZWATER
GRAY
HAGIN
REMARKS:
The attached has been forwarded to the President.
RESPONSE:
James W. Cicconi
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
Davis/Simon
April 21, 1989
Title: C31
Draft: Two
PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS: "C-3-I EAST" DEDICATION
RICHMOND HEIGHTS, FLORIDA
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1989/ (t.b.d.)
Attorney General Thornburgh, [Director Bennett] Commissioner
Von Raab, Admiral Yost, (Members of Congress), distinguished
guests.
I am delighted to dedicate this facility. And, as I do, let
me put to rest a popular misconception.
When we imagine a drug-smuggler, we usually think of a
grizzled character, perhaps wearing a Hawaiian shirt and a
leather jacket, perhaps with long hair and a beard tucked
underneath an aviator's hat from a second-hand shop. Most people
would expect him to be flying by the seat of his pants in a
creaky cargo plane of an ancient vintage.
You know best how much the popular imagination lags behind
reality. All too often, the drug smuggler is an excellent pilot
or seaman, with a jet or a boat equipped with the latest
communications and other sophisticated equipment. In short, he
has everything that drug money can buy.
2
To identify and interdict this new breed of sophisticated
drug smugglers, we must do more than match the resources of the
multi-billion-dollar drug empire. And that is what we have done
here, at c-three-I East, a nerve center in our war on drugs.
Think of this as one of America's drug war situation rooms, as
our early warning network against narcotics.
This facility, jointly managed by the U.S. Customs Service
and Coast Guard, is an important part of our grand strategy in
the war on drugs. From here, we will be able to detect, track,
identify and apprehend suspected smugglers operating vessels and
aircraft. This is the second such facility to come on line,
joining one in Riverside, California, to guard more than 3,600
miles of our nation's Southern flank. In time, this facility
alone will watch the skies from Brownsville, Texas, to Puerto
Rico, and across the entire Eastern Seaboard.
Four years in planning and construction, this facility is
dedicated to the principles of unity and cooperation, principles
needed to repel the drug invasion of America. This facility
provides the best example of how agenices will work together to
wage the war on drugs. From this site, civilian and defense
radars will work together, under the watchful eye of Coast Guard
and Customs duty officers, who will coordinate interception by
federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, whether it
3
means scrambling a jet fighter, a Coast Guard cutter, or
speedboats guided by the Blue Lightning Strike force.
America's response to airborne smuggling is especially
dramatic, growing from a rag-tag collection of twin-engine planes
seized from smugglers, into a highly sophisticated fleet of
aircraft equipped with sensors designed for a unique law
enforcement mission. Customs has a fleet of chase planes, and
Black Hawk helicopters on loan from the Army. The Coast Guard
operates Falcon jets with infra-red sensors and interceptor radar
just like that on F-16s. These are just some of the birds of
prey that will relentlessly search the skies for drug smugglers.
As impressive as this high-tech effort is, it's only as
effective as the men and women who manage it. And it is with
this in mind, that I salute those in the field, who are at risk
every day in the war against drugs. But I also want to salute
the officers who will staff this post, for every technician in
this room knows that the lives of his colleagues will be on the
line. This is a special responsibility that takes a special kind
of courage.
Our purpose is simple and close to home -- to keep drugs out
of the lockers, the classrooms and off the playgrounds of our
schools; to redeem the children of America from the scourge of
drugs.
4
In the months and years ahead, you will count kilos of
cocaine and mountains of marijuana seized from ships and planes.
You'll never know how many lives will be saved by your efforts.
But never forget, that saving lives is exactly what you do.
Commissioner, Admiral, I thank you, and I salute the men and
women of Customs and the Coast Guard for all that they have done,
and for all that they will do. Thank you. God bless you. And
God bless America.
#
#
#
REMARKS: "C-3-I EAST" DEDICATION
RICHMOND HEIGHTS, FLORIDA
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1989/(T.B.p.)
ATTORNEY GENERAL THORNBURGH, [DIRECTOR BENNETT].
COMMISSIONER VON RAAB, ADMIRAL Yost, (MEMBERS OF
CONGRESS), DISTINGUISHED GUESTS.
I AM DELIGHTED TO DEDICATE THIS FACILITY. AND, AS
I DO, LET ME PUT TO REST A POPULAR MISCONCEPTION.
- 2 -
WHEN WE IMAGINE A DRUG-SMUGGLER, SOME STILL THINK
OF A GRIZZLED CHARACTER, PERHAPS WEARING A HAWAIIAN
SHIRT AND A LEATHER JACKET, PERHAPS WITH LONG HAIR AND
A BEARD TUCKED UNDERNEATH AN AVIATOR'S HAT FROM A
SECOND-HAND SHOP -- EXPECTED TO BE FLYING BY THE SEAT
OF HIS PANTS IN A CREAKY CARGO PLANE OF AN ANCIENT
VINTAGE.
You KNOW BEST HOW MUCH THE POPULAR IMAGINATION LAGS
BEHIND REALITY,
- 3 -
ALL TOO OFTEN, THE DRUG SMUGGLER IS AN EXCELLENT PILOT
OR SEAMAN, WITH A JET OR A BOAT EQUIPPED WITH THE
LATEST COMMUNICATIONS AND OTHER SOPHISTICATED
EQUIPMENT. IN SHORT, HE HAS EVERYTHING THAT DRUG MONEY
CAN BUY.
To IDENTIFY AND INTERDICT THIS NEW BREED OF
SOPHISTICATED DRUG SMUGGLERS, WE MUST DO MORE THAN
MATCH THE RESOURCES OF THE MULTI-BILLION-DOLLAR DRUG
EMPIRE.
- 4 -
AND THAT IS WHAT WE HAVE DONE HERE, AT C-THREE-I EAST,
A NERVE CENTER IN OUR WAR ON DRUGS. THINK OF THIS AS
ONE OF AMERICA'S DRUG WAR SITUATION ROOMS, AS OUR EARLY
WARNING NETWORK AGAINST NARCOTICS.
THIS FACILITY, JOINTLY MANAGED BY THE U.S. CUSTOMS
SERVICE AND COAST GUARD, IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF OUR
GRAND STRATEGY IN THE WAR ON DRUGS. FROM HERE, WE WILL
BE ABLE TO DETECT, TRACK, IDENTIFY AND APPREHEND
SUSPECTED SMUGGLERS OPERATING VESSELS AND AIRCRAFT.
- 5 -
THIS IS THE SECOND SUCH FACILITY TO COME ON LINE,
JOINING ONE IN RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA, TO GUARD MORE
THAN 3,600 MILES OF OUR NATION'S SOUTHERN FLANK. IN
TIME, THIS FACILITY ALONE WILL WATCH THE SKIES FROM
BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS, TO PUERTO RICO, AND ACROSS THE
ENTIRE EASTERN SEABOARD.
- 6 -
FOUR YEARS IN PLANNING AND CONSTRUCTION, THIS
FACILITY IS DEDICATED TO THE PRINCIPLES OF UNITY AND
COOPERATION, PRINCIPLES NEEDED TO REPEL THE DRUG
INVASION OF AMERICA. THIS FACILITY PROVIDES THE BEST
EXAMPLE OF HOW AGENICES WILL WORK TOGETHER TO WAGE THE
WAR ON DRUGS.
- 7 -
FROM THIS SITE, CIVILIAN AND DEFENSE RADARS WILL WORK
TOGETHER, UNDER THE WATCHFUL EYE OF COAST GUARD AND
CUSTOMS DUTY OFFICERS, WHO WILL COORDINATE INTERCEPTION
BY FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES,
WHETHER IT MEANS SCRAMBLING A JET FIGHTER, A COAST
GUARD CUTTER, OR SPEEDBOATS GUIDED BY THE BLUE
LIGHTNING STRIKE FORCE.
- 8 -
AMERICA'S RESPONSE TO AIRBORNE SMUGGLING IS
ESPECIALLY DRAMATIC, GROWING FROM A RAG-TAG COLLECTION
OF TWIN-ENGINE PLANES SEIZED FROM SMUGGLERS, INTO A
HIGHLY SOPHISTICATED FLEET OF AIRCRAFT EQUIPPED WITH
SENSORS DESIGNED FOR A UNIQUE LAW ENFORCEMENT MISSION.
CUSTOMS HAS A FLEET OF CHASE PLANES, AND BLACK HAWK
HELICOPTERS ON LOAN FROM THE ARMY. THE COAST GUARD
OPERATES FALCON JETS WITH INFRA-RED SENSORS AND
INTERCEPTOR RADAR JUST LIKE THAT ON F-16s.
- 9 -
THESE ARE JUST SOME OF THE BIRDS OF PREY THAT WILL
RELENTLESSLY SEARCH THE SKIES FOR DRUG SMUGGLERS.
As IMPRESSIVE AS THIS HIGH-TECH EFFORT IS, IT'S
ONLY AS EFFECTIVE AS THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO MANAGE IT.
AND IT IS WITH THIS IN MIND, THAT I SALUTE THOSE IN THE
FIELD, WHO ARE AT RISK EVERY DAY IN THE WAR AGAINST
DRUGS.
- 10 -
BUT I ALSO WANT TO SALUTE THE OFFICERS WHO WILL STAFF
THIS POST, FOR EVERY TECHNICIAN IN THIS ROOM KNOWS THAT
THE LIVES OF HIS COLLEAGUES WILL BE ON THE LINE. THIS
IS A SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY THAT TAKES A SPECIAL KIND
OF COURAGE.
OUR PURPOSE IS SIMPLE AND CLOSE TO HOME -- TO KEEP
DRUGS OUT OF THE LOCKERS, THE CLASSROOMS AND OFF THE
PLAYGROUNDS OF OUR SCHOOLS; TO REDEEM THE CHILDREN OF
AMERICA FROM THE SCOURGE OF DRUGS.
- 11 -
IN THE MONTHS AND YEARS AHEAD, YOU WILL COUNT KILOS
OF COCAINE AND MOUNTAINS OF MARIJUANA SEIZED FROM SHIPS
AND PLANES. You'll NEVER KNOW HOW MANY LIVES WILL BE
SAVED BY YOUR EFFORTS. BUT NEVER FORGET, THAT SAVING
LIVES IS EXACTLY WHAT YOU DO.
- 12 -
COMMISSIONER, ADMIRAL, I THANK YOU, AND I SALUTE
THE MEN AND WOMEN OF CUSTOMS AND THE COAST GUARD FOR
ALL THAT THEY HAVE DONE, AND FOR ALL THAT THEY WILL DO.
THANK YOU. GOD BLESS YOU. AND GOD BLESS AMERICA.
#
#
#
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
April 21, 1989
2,
INFORMATION
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
MARK DAVIS and
THROUGH:
CHRISS WINSTON cw
SUBJECT:
C-3-I East Dedication
You will dedicate a new drug command center in the Miami area on
Thursday, to be under the command of the Coast Guard and Customs.
C-3-I (pronounced "see-three-eye") is military jargon for
"Command, Communications, Control and Intelligence."
C-3-I East will synthesize radar and intelligence, allowing the
center to direct federal, state and local agencies to interdict
airplanes and boats suspected of carrying drugs. It is to be a
model of interagency cooperation. The audience will be made up
of several hundred drug-enforcement officials from around the
country.
Davis/Simon
April 21, 1989
Title: C31
Draft: Two
PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS: "C-3-I EAST" DEDICATION
RICHMOND HEIGHTS, FLORIDA
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1989/(t.b.d.)
Attorney General Thornburgh, [Director Bennett] Commissioner
Von Raab, Admiral Yost, (Members of Congress), distinguished
guests.
I am delighted to dedicate this facility. And, as I do, let
me put to rest a popular misconception.
When we imagine a drug-smuggler, we usually think of a
grizzled character, perhaps wearing a Hawaiian shirt and a
leather jacket, perhaps with long hair and a beard tucked
underneath an aviator's hat from a second-hand shop. Most people
would expect him to be flying by the seat of his pants in a
creaky cargo plane of an ancient vintage.
You know best how much the popular imagination lags behind
reality. All too often, the drug smuggler is an excellent pilot
or seaman, with a jet or a boat equipped with the latest
communications and other sophisticated equipment. In short, he
has everything that drug money can buy.
2
To identify and interdict this new breed of sophisticated
drug smugglers, we must do more than match the resources of the
multi-billion-dollar drug empire. And that is what we have done
here, at c-three-I East, a nerve center in our war on drugs.
Think of this as one of America's drug war situation rooms, as
our early warning network against narcotics.
This facility, jointly managed by the U.S. Customs Service
and Coast Guard, is an important part of our grand strategy in
the war on drugs. From here, we will be able to detect, track,
identify and apprehend suspected smugglers operating vessels and
aircraft. This is the second such facility to come on line,
joining one in Riverside, California, to guard more than 3,600
miles of our nation's Southern flank. In time, this facility
alone will watch the skies from Brownsville, Texas, to Puerto
Rico, and across the entire Eastern Seaboard.
Four years in planning and construction, this facility is
dedicated to the principles of unity and cooperation, principles
needed to repel the drug invasion of America. This facility
provides the best example of how agenices will work together to
wage the war on drugs. From this site, civilian and defense
radars will work together, under the watchful eye of Coast Guard
and Customs duty officers, who will coordinate interception by
federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, whether it
3
means scrambling a jet fighter, a Coast Guard cutter, or
speedboats guided by the Blue Lightning Strike force.
America's response to airborne smuggling is especially
dramatic, growing from a rag-tag collection of twin-engine planes
seized from smugglers, into a highly sophisticated fleet of
aircraft equipped with sensors designed for a unique law
enforcement mission. Customs has a fleet of chase planes, and
Black Hawk helicopters on loan from the Army. The Coast Guard
operates Falcon jets with infra-red sensors and interceptor radar
just like that on F-16s. These are just some of the birds of
prey that will relentlessly search the skies for drug smugglers.
As impressive as this high-tech effort is, it's only as
effective as the men and women who manage it. And it is with
this in mind, that I salute those in the field, who are at risk
every day in the war against drugs. But I also want to salute
the officers who will staff this post, for every technician in
this room knows that the lives of his colleagues will be on the
line. This is a special responsibility that takes a special kind
of courage.
Our purpose is simple and close to home -- to keep drugs out
of the lockers, the classrooms and off the playgrounds of our
schools; to redeem the children of America from the scourge of
drugs.
4
In the months and years ahead, you will count kilos of
cocaine and mountains of marijuana seized from ships and planes.
You'll never know how many lives will be saved by your efforts.
But never forget, that saving lives is exactly what you do.
Commissioner, Admiral, I thank you, and I salute the men and
women of Customs and the Coast Guard for all that they have done,
and for all that they will do. Thank you. God bless you. And
God bless America.
#
#
#
REMARKS: "C-3-I EAST" DEDICATION
RICHMOND HEIGHTS, FLORIDA
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1989/(T.B.p.)
ATTORNEY GENERAL THORNBURGH, [DIRECTOR BENNETT]
COMMISSIONER VON RAAB, ADMIRAL YOST, (MEMBERS OF
CONGRESS), DISTINGUISHED GUESTS.
I AM DELIGHTED TO DEDICATE THIS FACILITY. AND, AS
I DO, LET ME PUT TO REST A POPULAR MISCONCEPTION.
- 2 -
WHEN WE IMAGINE A DRUG-SMUGGLER, SOME STILL THINK
OF A GRIZZLED CHARACTER, PERHAPS WEARING A HAWAIIAN
SHIRT AND A LEATHER JACKET, PERHAPS WITH LONG HAIR AND
A BEARD TUCKED UNDERNEATH AN AVIATOR'S HAT FROM A
SECOND-HAND SHOP -- EXPECTED To BE FLYING BY THE SEAT
OF HIS PANTS IN A CREAKY CARGO PLANE OF AN ANCIENT
VINTAGE.
You KNOW BEST HOW MUCH THE POPULAR IMAGINATION LAGS
BEHIND REALITY.
- 3 -
ALL T00 OFTEN, THE DRUG SMUGGLER IS AN EXCELLENT PILOT
OR SEAMAN, WITH A JET OR A BOAT EQUIPPED WITH THE
LATEST COMMUNICATIONS AND OTHER SOPHISTICATED
EQUIPMENT. IN SHORT, HE HAS EVERYTHING THAT DRUG MONEY
CAN BUY.
To IDENTIFY AND INTERDICT THIS NEW BREED OF
SOPHISTICATED DRUG SMUGGLERS, WE MUST DO MORE THAN
MATCH THE RESOURCES OF THE MULTI-BILLION-DOLLAR DRUG
EMPIRE.
- 4 -
AND THAT IS WHAT WE HAVE DONE HERE, AT C-THREE-I EAST,
A NERVE CENTER IN OUR WAR ON DRUGS. THINK OF THIS AS
ONE OF AMERICA'S DRUG WAR SITUATION ROOMS, AS OUR EARLY
WARNING NETWORK AGAINST NARCOTICS.
THIS FACILITY, JOINTLY MANAGED BY THE U.S. CUSTOMS
SERVICE AND COAST GUARD, IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF OUR
GRAND STRATEGY IN THE WAR ON DRUGS. FROM HERE, WE WILL
BE ABLE TO DETECT, TRACK, IDENTIFY AND APPREHEND
SUSPECTED SMUGGLERS OPERATING VESSELS AND AIRCRAFT.
- 5 -
THIS IS THE SECOND SUCH FACILITY TO COME ON LINE,
JOINING ONE IN RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA, TO GUARD MORE
THAN 3,600 MILES OF OUR NATION'S SOUTHERN FLANK. IN
TIME, THIS FACILITY ALONE WILL WATCH THE SKIES FROM
BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS, TO PUERTO RICO, AND ACROSS THE
ENTIRE EASTERN SEABOARD.
- 6 -
FOUR YEARS IN PLANNING AND CO
FACILITY IS DEDICATED TO THE PRIN
COOPERATION, PRINCIPLES NEEDED TO
INVASION OF AMERICA. THIS FACILI
EXAMPLE OF HOW AGENICES WILL WORK
WAR ON DRUGS.
INSTRUCTION, THIS
CIPLES OF UNITY AND
) REPEL THE DRUG
TY PROVIDES THE BEST
[ TOGETHER To WAGE THE
- 7 -
FROM THIS SITE, CIVILIAN AND DEFENSE RADARS WILL WORK
TOGETHER, UNDER THE WATCHFUL EYE OF COAST GUARD AND
CUSTOMS DUTY OFFICERS, WHO WILL COORDINATE INTERCEPTION
BY FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES,
WHETHER IT MEANS SCRAMBLING A JET FIGHTER, A COAST
GUARD CUTTER, OR SPEEDBOATS GUIDED BY THE BLUE
LIGHTNING STRIKE FORCE.
- 8 -
AMERICA'S RESPONSE TO AIRBORNE SMUGGLING IS
ESPECIALLY DRAMATIC, GROWING FROM A RAG-TAG COLLECTION
OF TWIN-ENGINE PLANES SEIZED FROM SMUGGLERS, INTO A
HIGHLY SOPHISTICATED FLEET OF AIRCRAFT EQUIPPED WITH
SENSORS DESIGNED FOR A UNIQUE LAW ENFORCEMENT MISSION.
CUSTOMS HAS A FLEET OF CHASE PLANES, AND BLACK HAWK
HELICOPTERS ON LOAN FROM THE ARMY. THE COAST GUARD
OPERATES FALCON JETS WITH INFRA-RED SENSORS AND
INTERCEPTOR RADAR JUST LIKE THAT ON F-16s.
- 9 -
THESE ARE JUST SOME OF THE BIRDS OF PREY THAT WILL
RELENTLESSLY SEARCH THE SKIES FOR DRUG SMUGGLERS.
As IMPRESSIVE AS THIS HIGH-TECH EFFORT IS, IT'S
ONLY AS EFFECTIVE AS THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO MANAGE IT.
AND IT IS WITH THIS IN MIND, THAT I SALUTE THOSE IN THE
FIELD, WHO ARE AT RISK EVERY DAY IN THE WAR AGAINST
DRUGS.
- 10 -
BUT I ALSO WANT TO SALUTE THE OFFICERS WHO WILL STAFF
THIS POST, FOR EVERY TECHNICIAN IN THIS ROOM KNOWS THAT
THE LIVES OF HIS COLLEAGUES WILL BE ON THE LINE. THIS
IS A SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY THAT TAKES A SPECIAL KIND
OF COURAGE.
OUR PURPOSE IS SIMPLE AND CLOSE TO HOME -- TO KEEP
DRUGS OUT OF THE LOCKERS, THE CLASSROOMS AND OFF THE
PLAYGROUNDS OF OUR SCHOOLS; TO REDEEM THE CHILDREN OF
AMERICA FROM THE SCOURGE OF DRUGS.
- 11 -
IN THE MONTHS AND YEARS AHEAD, YOU WILL COUNT KILOS
OF COCAINE AND MOUNTAINS OF MARIJUANA SEIZED FROM SHIPS
AND PLANES. You'll NEVER KNOW HOW MANY LIVES WILL BE
SAVED BY YOUR EFFORTS. BUT NEVER FORGET, THAT SAVING
LIVES IS EXACTLY WHAT YOU DO.
- 12 -
COMMISSIONER, ADMIRAL, I THANK YOU, AND I SALUTE
THE MEN AND WOMEN OF CUSTOMS AND THE COAST GUARD FOR
ALL THAT THEY HAVE DONE, AND FOR ALL THAT THEY WILL DO.
THANK YOU. GOD BLESS YOU. AND GOD BLESS AMERICA.
#
#
#
028807SS
Document No.
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
4/20/89
4/21/89 NOON
DATE:
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: "C-3-I EAST" DEDICATION
SUBJECT:
ACTION FYI
N/C
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
LMCCLURE on way
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT DP
PORTER small
DARMAN N/C via phone
STUDDERT
11:30am
BATES
UNTERMEYER
ROGERS
BREEDEN
WINSTON
CARD
CICCONI
PINKERTON small
DEMAREST
FITZWATER
GRAY N/C
HAGIN
REMARKS:
Please forward any comments to Chriss Winston, Rm. 122,
x2930, no later than NOON, Friday, April 21, 1989, with
an info copy to my office. Thank you.
RESPONSE:
James W. Cicconi
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
Davis/Simon
April 20, 1989
7
Title: C31
Draft: One
PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS: "C-3-I EAST" DEDICATION
RICHMOND HEIGHTS, FLORIDA
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1989/(t.b.d.)
has
[Director BeuneH]
Attorney General Thornburgh, Secretary Brady, Secretary
Skinner, Commissioner Von Rabb, Admiral Yost, (Members of
Congress), distinguished guests.
I am delighted to dedicate this facility. And, as I do, let
me put to rest a popular misconception.
When we imagine a drug-smuggler, we usually think of a
grizzled character, perhaps wearing a Hawaiian shirt and a
leather jacket, perhaps with long hair and a beard tucked
underneath an aviator's hat from a second-hand shop. Most people
would expect him to be flying by the seat of his pants in a
creaky cargo plane of an ancient vintage.
You know best how much the popular imagination lags behind
reality. All too often, the drug smuggler is an excellent pilot
or seaman, with a jet or a boat equipped with the latest
communications and other sophisticated equipment. In short, he
has everything that drug money can buy.
2
To identify and interdict this new breed of sophisticated
drug smugglers, we must do more than match the resources of the
multi-billion-dollar drug empire. And that is what we have done
here, at c-three- I East, a nerve center in our war on drugs.
me
of
Think of this as America's drug war situation room, as our early
warning network against narcotics.
This facility, jointly managed by the U.S. Customs Service
on important part of
and Coast Guard, is central to our grand strategy in the war on
drugs. From here, we will be able to detect, track, identify and
apprehend suspected smugglers operating vessels and aircraft.
This is the second such facility to come on line, joining one in
Riverside, California, to guard more than 3,600 miles of our
nation's Southern flank. In time, this facility alone will watch
the seas and skies from Brownsville, Texas, to Puerto Rico, and
across the entire Eastern Seaboard.
Four years in planning and construction, this facility is
dedicated to the principles of unity and cooperation, principles
needed to repel the drug invasion of America. From this site,
civilian and defense radars will work together, under the
watchful eye of Coast Guard and Customs duty officers, who will
coordinate interception by federal, state and local law
enforcement agencies, whether it means scrambling a jet fighter,
a Coast
Guard
or one of the speedboats of the Blue Lightening Strike force.
cutter
3
America's response to airborne smuggling is especially
dramatic, growing from a rag-tag collection of twin-engine planes
seized from smugglers, into a highly sophisticated fleet of
"sensored" aircraft designed for a unique law enforcement
mission. Customs has a fleet of chase planes, and Black Hawk
helicopters on loan from the Army. The Coast Guard operates
Falcon jets with infra-red sensors and interceptor radar just
like that on F-16s. These are just some of the birds of prey
that will relentlessly search the skies for drug smugglers.
As impressive as this high-tech effort is, it's only as
effective as the men and women who manage it. And it is with
this in mind, that I salute those in the field, who are at risk
every day in the war against drugs. But I also want to salute
staff
the officers who will man this post, for every technician in this
room knows that the lives of his colleagues will be on the line.
This is a special responsibility that takes a special kind of
courage.
Our purpose is simple and close to home -- to keep drugs out
of the lockers, the classrooms and off the playgrounds of our
schools; to redeem the children of America from the scourge of
drugs.
In the months and years ahead, you will count kilos of
cocaine and mountains of marijuana seized from ships and planes.
4
You'll never know how many lives will be saved by your efforts.
But never forget, that saving lives is exactly what you do.
Commissioner, Admiral, I thank you, and I salute the men and
women of Customs and the Coast Guard for all that they have done,
and for all that they will do. Thank you. God bless you. And
God bless America.
#
#
#
028807SS
Document No.
2906
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
4/20/89
4/21/89 NOON
DATE:
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: "C-3-I EAST" DEDICATION
SUBJECT:
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
L
PORTER
DARMAN
STUDDERT
BATES
UNTERMEYER
ROGERS
BREEDEN
WINSTON
CARD
CICCONI
PINKERTON
DEMAREST
FITZWATER
GRAY
HAGIN
REMARKS:
Please forward any comments to Chriss Winston, Rm. 122,
x2930, no later than NOON, Friday, April 21, 1989, with
an info copy to my office. Thank you.
RESPONSE: To: Chriss Winston
April 21, 1989
NSC concurs with noted changes on page three.
Brent Rate Jan Scowcroft
James W. Cicconi
Assistant to the President
CC: James W. Cicconi
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
Davis/Simon
April 20, 1989
13
Title: C31
Draft: One
PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS: "C-3-I EAST" DEDICATION
RICHMOND HEIGHTS, FLORIDA
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1989/(t.b.d.)
Attorney-General Thornburgh, Secretary Brady, Secretary
Skinner, Commissioner Von Rabb, Admiral Yost, (Members of
Congress), distinguished guests.
I am delighted to dedicate this facility. And, as I do, let
me put to rest a popular misconception.
When we imagine a drug-smuggler, we usually think of a
grizzled character, perhaps wearing a Hawaiian shirt and a
leather jacket, perhaps with long hair and a beard tucked
underneath an aviator's hat from a second-hand shop. Most people
would expect him to be flying by the seat of his pants in a
creaky cargo plane of an ancient vintage.
You know best how much the popular imagination lags behind
reality. All too often, the drug smuggler is an excellent pilot
or seaman, with a jet or a boat equipped with the latest
communications and other sophisticated equipment. In short, he
has everything that drug money can buy.
2
To identify and interdict this new breed of sophisticated
drug smugglers, we must more than match the resources of the
multi-billion-dollar drug empire. And that is what we have done
here, at c-three-i East, a nerve center in our war on drugs.
Think of this as America's drug war situation room, as our early
warning network against narcotics.
This facility, jointly managed by the U.S. Customs Service
and Coast Guard, is central to our grand strategy in the war on
drugs. From here, we will be able to detect, track, identify and
apprehend suspected smugglers operating vessels and aircraft.
This is the second such facility to come on line, joining one in
Riverside, California, to guard more than 3,600 miles of our
nation's Southern flank. In time, this facility alone will watch
the seas and skies from Brownsville, Texas, to Puerto Rico, and
across the entire Eastern Seaboard.
Four years in planning and construction, this facility is
dedicated to the principles of unity and cooperation, principles
needed to repel the drug invasion of America From this site,
Richard
we
as
Lamagna
civilian and defense radars will work together, under the
The
min
watchful eye of Coast Guard and Customs duty officers, who will
coordinate interception by federal, state and local law
S
enforcement agencies, whether it means scrambling a jet fighter
or one of the speedboats of the Blue Lightening Strike force.
it was and Director will be a cooperative effort. As I said at the swearing in of
Its mission will not be the work of one agency either. Rather,
This facility is not the work of one agency alone.
my Drug Bill Bennett, the war on drugs does not need rivalries and
bickering among the verious agencies and police forces involved, and I will not tolerateit.
3
America's response to airborne smuggling is especially
dramatic, growing from a rag-tag collection of twin-engine planes
seized from smugglers, into a highly sophisticated fleet of
"sensored" aircraft designed for a unique law enforcement
mission. Customs has a fleet of chase planes, and Black Hawk
helicopters on loan from the Army. The Coast Guard operates
Falcon jets with infra-red sensors and interceptor radar just
like that on F-16s. These are just some of the birds of prey
that will relentlessly search the skies for drug smugglers.
As impressive as this high-tech effort is, it's only as
effective as the men and women who manage it. And it is with
this in mind, that I salute those in the field, who are at risk
every day in the war against drugs. But I also want to salute
the officers who will man this post, for every technician in this
room knows that the lives of his colleagues will be on the line.
This is a special responsibility that takes a special kind of
courage
Our purpose is simple and close to home -- to keep drugs out
of the lockers, the classrooms and off the playgrounds of our
schools; to redeem the children of America from the scourge of
drugs.
In the months and years ahead, you will count kilos of
cocaine and mountains of marijuana seized from ships and planes.
4
You'll never know how many lives will be saved by your efforts.
But never forget, that saving lives is exactly what you do.
Commissioner, Admiral, I thank you, and I salute the men and
women of Customs and the Coast Guard for all that they have done,
and for all that they will do. Thank you. God bless you. And
God bless America.
#
#
#
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
April 21, 1989
MEMORANDUM FOR CHRISS WINSTON
FROM:
ROBERT J. PORTMAN REP
ASSOCIATE COUNSEL TO THE PRESIDENT
SUBJECT:
Presidential Remarks: "C-3-I East" Declaration
Pursuant to your staffing request of April 20, 1989, Counsel's
Office has reviewed the above referenced remarks. We have no
legal objection to the contents. We communicated certain minor
editorial suggestions to your office this morning.
Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention.
CC: James W. Cicconi
Counsel's Comments
Rob 10.30am/ Portner
Davis/Simon
April 20, 1989
Title: C31
No legal objection
Draft: One
editorial comments
PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS: "C-3-I EAST" DEDICATION
RICHMOND HEIGHTS, FLORIDA
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1989/ (t.b.d.)
nodash
Attorney-General Thornburgh, Secretary Brady, Secretary
Skinner, Commissioner Von Rabb, Admiral Yost, (Members of
Congress), distinguished guests.
I am delighted to dedicate this facility. And, as I do, let
me put to rest a popular misconception.
When we imagine a drug-smuggler, we usually think of a
grizzled character, perhaps wearing a Hawaiian shirt and a
leather jacket, perhaps with long hair and a beard tucked
underneath an aviator's hat from a second-hand shop. Most people
would expect him to be flying by the seat of his pants in a
creaky cargo plane of an ancient vintage.
You know best how much the popular imagination lags behind
reality. All too often, the drug smuggler is an excellent pilot
or seaman, with a jet or a boat equipped with the latest
communications and other sophisticated equipment. In short, he
has everything that drug money can buy.
2
To identify and interdict this new breed of sophisticated
drug smugglers, we must more than match the resources of the
multi-billion-dollar drug empire. And that is what we have done
here, at c-three-i East, a nerve center in our war on drugs.
one of
(Bates) Bennett
Think of this as n America's drug war situation room, as our early
warning network against narcotics.
This facility, jointly managed by the U.S. Customs Service
and Coast Guard, is central to our grand strategy in the war on
drugs. From here, we will be able to detect, track, identify and
apprehend suspected smugglers operating vessels and aircraft.
This is the second such facility to come on line, joining one in
Riverside, California, to guard more than 3,600 miles of our
nation's Southern flank. In time, this facility alone will watch
the seas and skies from Brownsville, Texas, to Puerto Rico, and
across the entire Eastern Seaboard.
Four years in planning and construction, this facility is
dedicated to the principles of unity and cooperation, principles
needed to repel the drug invasion of America. From this site,
civilian and defense radars will work together, under the
watchful eye of Coast Guard and Customs duty officers, who will
coordinate interception by federal, state and local law
enforcement agencies, whether it means scrambling a jet fighter
or one of the speedboats of the Blue Lightening Strike force.
no"e"in word
3
America's response to airborne smuggling is especially
dramatic, growing from a rag-tag collection of twin-engine planes
seized from smugglers, into a highly sophisticated fleet of
"sensored" aircraft designed for a unique law enforcement
mission. Customs has a fleet of chase planes, and Black Hawk
helicopters on loan from the Army. The Coast Guard operates
Falcon jets with infra-red sensors and interceptor radar just
like that on F-16s. These are just some of the birds of prey
that will relentlessly search the skies for drug smugglers.
As impressive as this high-tech effort is, it's only as
effective as the men and women who manage it. And it is with
this in mind, that I salute those in the field, who are at risk
every day in the war against drugs. But I also want to salute
the officers who will man this post, for every technician in this
room knows that the lives of his colleagues will be on the line.
This is a special responsibility that takes a special kind of
courage.
Our purpose is simple and close to home -- to keep drugs out
of the lockers, the classrooms and off the playgrounds of our
schools; to redeem the children of America from the scourge of
drugs.
In the months and years ahead, you will count kilos of
cocaine and mountains of marijuana seized from ships and planes.
4
You'll never know how many lives will be saved by your efforts.
But never forget, that saving lives is exactly what you do.
Commissioner, Admiral, I thank you, and I salute the men and
women of Customs and the Coast Guard for all that they have done,
and for all that they will do. Thank you. God bless you. And
God bless America.
#
#
#
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
April 21, 1989
Memorandum to Chriss Winston
From:
Roger Porter
Jim Pinkerton
RBP
Re:
C3I Draft
We think this is a good speech; we have a very few comments.
On the last line of page 2 the word "Lightning" is mispelled.
On the fourth line of the first graf on p.3, the use of the
word "sensored" is confusing. It is a homonym for "censored,"
which has an entirely different meaning. Rather than adopting
the bureaucratic usage of this neologism, let's say something
like "a highly sophisticated fleet of aircraft equipped with
sensors 11
In the next graf down, in the fifth line, we prefer the
word "staff" instead of "man." Having gone to the trouble of
citing the "men and women who manage" our effort, we may as well
preserve gender neutrality for the rest of the graf.
CC: Bill Roper
#
April 21, 1989
MEMORANDUM FOR CHRISS WINSTON
FROM;
DENISE SCHWARZ
OFFICE OF CABINET AFFAIRS
SUBJECT;
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: C-3-I EAST DEDICATION
LOG #028807SS
We have reviewed the remarks and have incorporated the
comments.
Attachment
CC: Jim Cicconi
028807SS
Document No.
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
4/20/89
4/21/89 NOON
DATE:
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: "C-3-I EAST" DEDICATION
SUBJECT:
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
DARMAN
STUDDERT
BATES
UNTERMEYER
ROGERS
BREEDEN
WINSTON
CARD
CICCONI
PINKERTON
DEMAREST
FITZWATER
GRAY
HAGIN
REMARKS:
Please forward any comments to Chriss Winston, Rm. 122,
x2930, no later than NOON, Friday, April 21, 1989, with
an info copy to my office. Thank you.
RESPONSE:
James W. Cicconi
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
Davis/Simon
April 20, 1989
Title: C31
Draft: One
PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS: "C-3-I EAST" DEDICATION
RICHMOND HEIGHTS, FLORIDA
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1989/ (t.b.d.)
Attorney-General Thornburgh, Secretary Brady, Secretary
[Director (T) Bennstt]
a
Skinner, Commissioner Von Rabb, Admiral Yost, (Members of
Congress), distinguished guests.
I am delighted to dedicate this facility. And, as I do, let
me put to rest a popular misconception.
When we imagine a drug-smuggler, we usually think of a
grizzled character, perhaps wearing a Hawaiian shirt and a
leather jacket, perhaps with long hair and a beard tucked
underneath an aviator's hat from a second-hand shop. Most people
would expect him to be flying by the seat of his pants in a
creaky cargo plane of an ancient vintage.
You know best how much the popular imagination lags behind
reality. All too often, the drug smuggler is an excellent pilot
or seaman, with a jet or a boat equipped with the latest
communications and other sophisticated equipment. In short, he
has everything that drug money can buy.
2
To identify and interdict this new breed of sophisticated
drug smugglers, we must more than match the resources of the
multi-billion-dollar drug empire. And that is what we have done
here, at c-three East, a nerve center in our war on drugs.
Think of this as America's drug war situation room, as our early
warning network against narcotics.
This facility, jointly managed by the U.S. Customs Service
an important part of
and Coast Guard, is central to our grand strategy in the war on
drugs. From here, we will be able to detect, track, identify and
apprehend suspected smugglers operating vessels and aircraft.
This is the second such facility to come on line, joining one in
Riverside, California, to guard more than 3,600 miles of our
nation's Southern flank. In time, this facility alone will watch
only interdiction
the seas and skies from Brownsville, Texas, to Puerto Rico, and
across the entire Eastern Seaboard.
Four years in planning and construction, this facility is
dedicated to the principles of unity and cooperation, principles
needed to repel the drug invasion of America. From this site,
civilian and defense radars will work together, under the
watchful eye of Coast Guard and Customs duty officers, who will
coordinate interception by federal, state and local law
cowt culter, Guard
enforcement agencies, whether it means scrambling a jet fighter, a
ora Custom Speedboat
or one of the speedboats of the Blue Lightening Strike force.
3
America's response to airborne smuggling is especially
dramatic, growing from a rag-tag collection of twin-engine planes
seized from smugglers, into a highly sophisticated fleet of
"sensored" aircraft designed for a unique law enforcement
mission. Customs has a fleet of chase planes, and Black Hawk
helicopters on loan from the Army. The Coast Guard operates
Falcon jets with infra-red sensors and interceptor radar just
like that on F-16s. These are just some of the birds of prey
that will relentlessly search the skies for drug smugglers.
As impressive as this high-tech effort is, it's only as
effective as the men and women who manage it. And it is with
this in mind, that I salute those in the field, who are at risk
every day in the war against drugs. But I also want to salute
headle
the officers who will man this post, for every technician in this
operate
room knows that the lives of his colleagues will be on the line.
This is a special responsibility that takes a special kind of
courage.
Our purpose is simple and close to home -- to keep drugs out
of the lockers, the classrooms and off the playgrounds of our
schools; to redeem the children of America from the scourge of
drugs.
In the months and years ahead, you will count kilos of
cocaine and mountains of marijuana seized from ships and planes.
4
You'll never know how many lives will be saved by your efforts.
But never forget, that saving lives is exactly what you do.
Commissioner, Admiral, I thank you, and I salute the men and
women of Customs and the Coast Guard for all that they have done,
and for all that they will do. Thank you. God bless you. And
God bless America.
#
#
#
Document No.
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
4/20/89
4/21/89 NOON
DATE:
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: "C-3-I EAST" DEDICATION
SUBJECT:
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
DARMAN
STUDDERT
BATES
UNTERMEYER
ROGERS
BREEDEN
WINSTON
CARD
CICCONI
PINKERTON
DEMAREST
FITZWATER
GRAY
HAGIN
REMARKS:
Please forward any comments to Chriss Winston, Rm. 122,
x2930, no later than NOON, Friday, April 21, 1989, with
an info copy to my office. Thank you.
RESPONSE:
Sk
m
James W. Cicconi
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
THE PRESIDENT HAS SEEN
OK
small charges,
Davis/Simon
April 21, 1989
4/23/89
Title: C31
1/23
Draft: Two
PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS: "C-3-I EAST" DEDICATION
RICHMOND HEIGHTS, FLORIDA
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1989/ (t.b.d.)
Attorney General Thornburgh, [Director Bennett] Commissioner
Von Raab, Admiral Yost, (Members of Congress), distinguished
guests.
I am delighted to dedicate this facility. And, as I do, let
me put to rest a popular misconception.
some
still
When we imagine a drug-smuggler, we-usually think of a
grizzled character, perhaps wearing a Hawaiian shirt and a
leather jacket, perhaps with long hair and a beard tucked
underneath an aviator's hat from a second-hand shop. people
woul expect to be flying by the seat of his pants in a
creaky cargo plane of an ancient vintage.
You know best how much the popular imagination lags behind
reality. All too often, the drug smuggler is an excellent pilot
or seaman, with a jet or a boat equipped with the latest
communications and other sophisticated equipment. In short, he
has everything that drug money can buy.
2
To identify and interdict this new breed of sophisticated
drug smugglers, we must do more than match the resources of the
multi-billion-dollar drug empire. And that is what we have done
here, at c-three-I East, a nerve center in our war on drugs.
Think of this as one of America's drug war situation rooms, as
our early warning network against narcotics.
This facility, jointly managed by the U.S. Customs Service
and Coast Guard, is an important part of our grand strategy in
the war on drugs. From here, we will be able to detect, track,
identify and apprehend suspected smugglers operating vessels and
aircraft. This is the second such facility to come on line,
joining one in Riverside, California, to guard more than 3,600
miles of our nation's Southern flank. In time, this facility
alone will watch the skies from Brownsville, Texas, to Puerto
Rico, and across the entire Eastern Seaboard.
Four years in planning and construction, this facility is
dedicated to the principles of unity and cooperation, principles
needed to repel the drug invasion of America. This facility
provides the best example of how agenices will work together to
wage the war on drugs. From this site, civilian and defense
radars will work together, under the watchful eye of Coast Guard
and Customs duty officers, who will coordinate interception by
federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, whether it
3
means scrambling a jet fighter, a Coast Guard cutter, or
speedboats guided by the Blue Lightning Strike force.
America's response to airborne smuggling is especially
dramatic, growing from a rag-tag collection of twin-engine planes
seized from smugglers, into a highly sophisticated fleet of
aircraft equipped with sensors designed for a unique law
enforcement mission. Customs has a fleet of chase planes, and
Black Hawk helicopters on loan from the Army. The Coast Guard
operates Falcon jets with infra-red sensors and interceptor radar
just like that on F-16s. These are just some of the birds of
prey that will relentlessly search the skies for drug smugglers.
As impressive as this high-tech effort is, it's only as
effective as the men and women who manage it. And it is with
this in mind, that I salute those in the field, who are at risk
every day in the war against drugs. But I also want to salute
the officers who will staff this post, for every technician in
this room knows that the lives of his colleagues will be on the
line. This is a special responsibility that takes a special kind
of courage.
Our purpose is simple and close to home -- to keep drugs out
of the lockers, the classrooms and off the playgrounds of our
schools; to redeem the children of America from the scourge of
drugs.
4
In the months and years ahead, you will count kilos of
cocaine and mountains of marijuana seized from ships and planes.
You'll never know how many lives will be saved by your efforts.
But never forget, that saving lives is exactly what you do.
Commissioner, Admiral, I thank you, and I salute the men and
women of Customs and the Coast Guard for all that they have done,
and for all that they will do. Thank you. God bless you. And
God bless America.
#
#
#
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
April 21, 1989
2,
INFORMATION
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
MARK DAVIS and
THROUGH:
CHRISS WINSTON cw
SUBJECT:
C-3-I East Dedication
You will dedicate a new drug command center in the Miami area on
Thursday, to be under the command of the Coast Guard and Customs.
C-3-I (pronounced "see-three-eye") is military jargon for
"Command, Communications, Control and Intelligence.'
C-3-I East will synthesize radar and intelligence, allowing the
center to direct federal, state and local agencies to interdict
airplanes and boats suspected of carrying drugs. It is to be a
model of interagency cooperation. The audience will be made up
of several hundred drug-enforcement officials from around the
country.