The Texas National Guard is using airboats to conduct river patrols on the Rio Grande, operating in shallow and swampy areas to detect and prevent illegal crossings along the border with Mexico.
According to a report from Defence Blog, members of the National Guard were seen traveling in a Panther Lightning airboat, a flat-bottomed vessel powered by an aircraft-like propeller, during routine river surveillance operations.
The patrols aim to provide a visual presence, observation capabilities, and monitoring of activities along the riverbanks that form the border with Mexico.
Using airboats allows teams to quickly reposition along the river and respond to activities reported by observation posts or ground patrols.
The Panther Lightning airboats, produced by Panther Airboats, are designed to operate in waters where traditional inboard or outboard motors are ineffective.
Thanks to their ability to move by pushing air, Guard personnel can reach shallower and swampier areas that are inaccessible to boats that rely on a submerged propeller.
While they are mostly used by civilians for activities such as fishing and ecotourism, or by rescue services, this is not the first time the U.S. has integrated airboats for military applications.
Similar platforms, including the Hurricane Aircat, have been used previously during riverine and counterinsurgency operations in the Vietnam War.
Photo: David Kilbourne. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
