US military eyes more northern border patrols

Washington (AP) — The chief of the U.S. Northern Command says the Pentagon is working with civillian authorities to increase monitoring of the northern border.

Air Force General Gene Renuart said defense officials are working with the Federal Aviation Administration and Canadian authorities on the project.

He told The Associated Press the groups are trying to determine how unmanned aircraft can be used without interfering with busy commercial air traffic routes.

Border crossing

The effort would also use more high-tech sensors and cameras like those developed for the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

The increased military presence is in response to shrinking arctic ice, which is expanding the amount of navigable waters. That makes it easier for security threats to sail from overseas and travel over land south into the United States.