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-Land of the Free
FBI has its own air force and aerial recce capability.
2015-06-02
[Ayepee] WASHINGTON -- The FBI is operating a small air force with scores of low-flying planes across the country carrying video and, at times, cellphone surveillance technology -- all hidden behind fictitious companies that are fronts for the government, The Associated Press has learned.
Why the clandestine cover, is something legally amiss ?
The planes' surveillance equipment is generally used without a judge's approval, and the FBI said the flights are used for specific, ongoing investigations. In a recent 30-day period, the agency flew above more than 30 cities in 11 states across the country, an AP review found.
No court order or legal approval? EO 12333 compliance? No? Ok, we guessed as much.
Aerial surveillance represents a changing frontier for law enforcement, providing what the government maintains is an important tool in criminal, terrorism or intelligence probes. But the program raises questions about whether there should be updated policies protecting civil liberties as new technologies pose intrusive opportunities for government spying.

U.S. law enforcement officials confirmed for the first time the wide-scale use of the aircraft, which the AP traced to at least 13 fake companies, such as FVX Research, KQM Aviation, NBR Aviation and PXW Services. Even basic aspects of the program are withheld from the public in censored versions of official reports from the Justice Department's inspector general.
The IG has 'no need to know.' Can he not be trusted? Very interesting.
"The FBI's aviation program is not secret," spokesman Christopher Allen said in a statement. "Specific aircraft and their capabilities are protected for operational security purposes." Allen added that the FBI's planes "are not equipped, designed or used for bulk collection activities or mass surveillance."
We're just orbiting cellie towers, private residences, border crossings that sort of thing. Amamus Nobis Spectere - very roughly translated, 'we like to watch.'
Posted by:Besoeker

#9  I suspect the real news here is that its NOT 1947, + instead of the USAF becoming a separate service from the US Army we may be seeing the consolidation or merging of aspects of the FBI + CIA???
Posted by: JosephMendiola   2015-06-02 23:19  

#8  Looks like our mighty OWG NAU? Unitarian Govt-Congress answer to the FBI-VS-CIA argument over domestic turf jurisdiction + warrantless surveillance is to give the FBI its own air force.

Unfortunately, in covert ops or surveilliance too often the FBI may NOT actually be the FBI despite indicias or evidencias to the contrary.

WHEN IT COMES TO GOING TO JAIL, ETC. FOR BREAKING LAWS, PROTOCOLS GUIDLEINES AND DIRECTIVES, THAT WEREN'T SUPPOSED TO BE BROKEN, FEDS ARE NO DIFERENT THAN CROOKS IN WANTING TO PASS THE BUCK OR BLAME SOMEONE ELSE FOR THEIR ACTIONS.
Posted by: JosephMendiola   2015-06-02 23:14  

#7  Its actually pretty easy to set up. Set up a logistical contract with a part 135 carrier with an owner that is cleared. Have them at busy airports where there is significant corperate or logistical air travel. Pay them to lease specific aircraft. Have the carrier mod the aircraft to spec. The carrier will fly and FBI passengers inside will do the spook work. The contract shows them flying people from one location to another, no one is the wiser.
Posted by: 49 Pan   2015-06-02 20:34  

#6  Much like a class-action lawsuit, wherein the plaintiffs are intentionally obfuscated in mass, street scene monitoring won't require a warrant anymore than a prowl car or cameras at stoplights.
Posted by: Skidmark   2015-06-02 19:16  

#5  To the unknown reviewer who snuffed Knuckles. Thank you.
Posted by: g(r)omgoru   2015-06-02 13:08  

#4  and, at times, cellphone surveillance

Dollars to donuts, sniffing cell phones is the primary activity. Warrants? We don' need no stinkin' warrants.
Posted by: SteveS   2015-06-02 11:28  

#3  Just for the what it's worth department, setting up clandestine arrangements such as these requires a.... great deal of inter-agency coordination. You just don't plop down a gov't gas credit card and say fill'r up please. Lots of other logistical issues are involved, to include registrations, pilot names and licenses, vehicles, maintenance contracts, taxes, hanger fees, security, the list can get quite lengthy.

Did I mention contracts and taxes ?

The mechanisms and legal arrangements for such activities are well established. The proponent government agency is fairly obvious.
Posted by: Besoeker   2015-06-02 10:15  

#2  If they weren't trying to hide it... why have front corporations?

Posted by: DarthVader   2015-06-02 09:45  

#1  "The FBI's aviation program is not secret,"

Warrantless surveillance behind front companies? Not secret? Really?
Posted by: JohnQC   2015-06-02 09:19  

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