Image: William Snow, used with permission / An RCMP Black Hawk helicopter paid a visit to the Chilliwack Airport Sunday during an apparent refueling break.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

RCMP helicopter visits Chilliwack

RCMP Black Hawk helicopter touches down at Chilliwack Airport Sunday

Feb 10, 2025 | 12:01 PM

CHILLIWACK — An RCMP Black Hawk helicopter paid a visit to the Chilliwack Airport Sunday during a refueling break.

A picture taken by Chilliwack resident William Snow shows camouflaged RCMP personnel outside a Black Hawk helicopter, part of a plan by federal police to begin using the aircraft to patrol the United States border and stop smuggling and people crossing illegally.

According to a news release from the B.C. RCMP last week, police say people shouldn’t be alarmed to see or hear the new Black Hawk in action on the borders with Washington, Idaho and Montana.

They say the helicopter will be targeting human smuggling, drug and contraband trafficking and people who illegally cross in and out of Canada.

According to the Canadian Press, officer in charge of border integrity Supt. Bert Ferreira says the border is “well secured on both sides.”

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The Black Hawk is part of a larger $1.3-billion plan by the federal government to bolster border security involving helicopters, drones and deployment of nearly 10,000 front-line personnel.

U.S. President Donald Trump has cited border security as a reason for his threatened 25-per-cent tariffs on Canadian goods, which are now on pause until March.