Fort Hancock Heliport

The facility was closed as a direct result of federal budget cuts. In 2013, sequestration and reduced appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security led U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to deactivate several of its Tethered Aerostat Radar System (TARS) sites, including the one at Fort Hancock, to reduce operational costs. The closure was purely for economic and budgetary reasons.

The site is currently inactive and decommissioned. Satellite imagery confirms that the physical infrastructure, including the distinctive large, circular concrete mooring pad and surrounding support buildings, remains in place. However, the site is not operational and is not used for any other purpose. It remains secured government property in a state of disuse.

The facility, commonly misidentified as a simple heliport, was a U.S. government Tethered Aerostat Radar System (TARS) site. Its primary operation was not helicopter transport but persistent aerial surveillance. A large, unmanned, helium-filled balloon (aerostat) was tethered to a large circular mooring pad at the center of the site. This aerostat would lift a powerful radar system to an altitude of up to 15,000 feet, providing a wide, 'look-down' view of the surrounding airspace and terrain. Its mission was a critical part of U.S. border security, specifically for detecting and tracking low-flying aircraft used for smuggling illegal narcotics and other contraband across the U.S.-Mexico border. The site was initially operated by the U.S. Air Force before operations were transferred to U.S. Customs, which later became CBP. The 'heliport' designation (US-10192) likely refers to the use of helicopters for logistical support, personnel rotation, and maintenance at the remote site.

There are no known public plans or official prospects for reopening the Fort Hancock TARS site. Federal border surveillance strategies have evolved, with increasing investment in other technologies such as unmanned aerial systems (drones), ground-based sensors, and integrated fixed tower systems. Given the operational costs of TARS and the shift in technology, the reopening of this specific site is considered highly unlikely.