Nick Benson
@ottergoose.net
Nerding out over geography, weather, LEGO, politics, and photography of Minnesota's railroad and aviation scene. Chief AvGeek at @JetTip.net.
📍 Burnsville, Minnesota, US
📍 Burnsville, Minnesota, US
In the last 31 days, since November 22, 2025, 15 ICE deportation flights have loaded at MSP.
Based on the number of DHS/ICE vehicles that have served each flight, and several direct passenger counts, I estimate that a total of 500 or so of our neighbors have been deported in this time frame.
Based on the number of DHS/ICE vehicles that have served each flight, and several direct passenger counts, I estimate that a total of 500 or so of our neighbors have been deported in this time frame.
December 23, 2025 at 8:22 PM
In the last 31 days, since November 22, 2025, 15 ICE deportation flights have loaded at MSP.
Based on the number of DHS/ICE vehicles that have served each flight, and several direct passenger counts, I estimate that a total of 500 or so of our neighbors have been deported in this time frame.
Based on the number of DHS/ICE vehicles that have served each flight, and several direct passenger counts, I estimate that a total of 500 or so of our neighbors have been deported in this time frame.
The fifth ICE deportation flight at MSP this week, the most I've seen.
If the additional flights, decreased transparency, and abandonment of due process upset you, join me and many other at the ICE out of Minnesota march tomorrow (Sat, Dec 20): www.mobilize.us/indivisiblet...
If the additional flights, decreased transparency, and abandonment of due process upset you, join me and many other at the ICE out of Minnesota march tomorrow (Sat, Dec 20): www.mobilize.us/indivisiblet...
December 19, 2025 at 8:58 PM
The fifth ICE deportation flight at MSP this week, the most I've seen.
If the additional flights, decreased transparency, and abandonment of due process upset you, join me and many other at the ICE out of Minnesota march tomorrow (Sat, Dec 20): www.mobilize.us/indivisiblet...
If the additional flights, decreased transparency, and abandonment of due process upset you, join me and many other at the ICE out of Minnesota march tomorrow (Sat, Dec 20): www.mobilize.us/indivisiblet...
Yesterday, N278GX did an ICE deportation flight from MSP to HRL, repositioned to AUS, and flew home the University of Wisconsin Volleyball team.
December 15, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Yesterday, N278GX did an ICE deportation flight from MSP to HRL, repositioned to AUS, and flew home the University of Wisconsin Volleyball team.
The DHS / CBP helicopter flying over the Twin Cities today was N753E; photo via a fellow avgeek, seen in St. Paul.
December 11, 2025 at 10:46 PM
The DHS / CBP helicopter flying over the Twin Cities today was N753E; photo via a fellow avgeek, seen in St. Paul.
New: FOIA'd emails from Signature Aviation managers to MSP staff confirm details about ICE flights here at Minneapolis - St. Paul Int'l, including one I photographed in April.
Details: ottergoose.net/ice-flights-...
Details: ottergoose.net/ice-flights-...
December 7, 2025 at 2:51 PM
New: FOIA'd emails from Signature Aviation managers to MSP staff confirm details about ICE flights here at Minneapolis - St. Paul Int'l, including one I photographed in April.
Details: ottergoose.net/ice-flights-...
Details: ottergoose.net/ice-flights-...
... and it looks like staff are now carrying bolt cutters? Haven't seen that before. ICE crew appeared to bring it from the rear/underside cargo area into the passenger cabin.
December 2, 2025 at 9:31 PM
... and it looks like staff are now carrying bolt cutters? Haven't seen that before. ICE crew appeared to bring it from the rear/underside cargo area into the passenger cabin.
ICE Air getting shackles ready for five van loads of deportees today at MSP, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. It was 15° F, windchill 6°.
Route was AEX-MSP-OMA, operated by Eastern Air Express's N625SW as TYSON42, loaded and fueled at Signature Aviation, MSP's private jet terminal.
Route was AEX-MSP-OMA, operated by Eastern Air Express's N625SW as TYSON42, loaded and fueled at Signature Aviation, MSP's private jet terminal.
December 2, 2025 at 9:13 PM
ICE Air getting shackles ready for five van loads of deportees today at MSP, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. It was 15° F, windchill 6°.
Route was AEX-MSP-OMA, operated by Eastern Air Express's N625SW as TYSON42, loaded and fueled at Signature Aviation, MSP's private jet terminal.
Route was AEX-MSP-OMA, operated by Eastern Air Express's N625SW as TYSON42, loaded and fueled at Signature Aviation, MSP's private jet terminal.
Not sure if this was a Global Crossing flight attendant, or ICE agent, but she didn’t like us taking their photo in Minneapolis after the finished boarding deportees a few weeks ago.
November 26, 2025 at 1:54 AM
Not sure if this was a Global Crossing flight attendant, or ICE agent, but she didn’t like us taking their photo in Minneapolis after the finished boarding deportees a few weeks ago.
Today's ICE flight at MSP was operated by Denver Air Connection's N975DC as TYSON60, flying the usual Mon/Wed route of AEX-MSP-OMA-AEX; three DHS vehicles delivered deportees to Signature Aviation's ramp at MSP around 11:45 AM, where ~17 people were shackled at their wrists, waist, and ankles.
November 19, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Today's ICE flight at MSP was operated by Denver Air Connection's N975DC as TYSON60, flying the usual Mon/Wed route of AEX-MSP-OMA-AEX; three DHS vehicles delivered deportees to Signature Aviation's ramp at MSP around 11:45 AM, where ~17 people were shackled at their wrists, waist, and ankles.
A single finger salute from the fourth ICE flight of the last seven days here at MSP. Today's flight was operated by Global Crossing's N966AD, and handled by Signature Aviation, who for some reason, has removed branding from their air-stairs.
Additional information: www.reddit.com/user/ottergo...
Additional information: www.reddit.com/user/ottergo...
November 16, 2025 at 10:05 PM
A single finger salute from the fourth ICE flight of the last seven days here at MSP. Today's flight was operated by Global Crossing's N966AD, and handled by Signature Aviation, who for some reason, has removed branding from their air-stairs.
Additional information: www.reddit.com/user/ottergo...
Additional information: www.reddit.com/user/ottergo...
Today's ICE flight at MSP - a crowded ramp at Signature meant they had to park in a spot that allowed the clearest photos I've been able to capture so far.
Full-resolution photos, released into public domain, can be found here: www.flickr.com/photos/otter...
Flight track: adsb.lol?icao=a8b479&...
Full-resolution photos, released into public domain, can be found here: www.flickr.com/photos/otter...
Flight track: adsb.lol?icao=a8b479&...
November 15, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Today's ICE flight at MSP - a crowded ramp at Signature meant they had to park in a spot that allowed the clearest photos I've been able to capture so far.
Full-resolution photos, released into public domain, can be found here: www.flickr.com/photos/otter...
Flight track: adsb.lol?icao=a8b479&...
Full-resolution photos, released into public domain, can be found here: www.flickr.com/photos/otter...
Flight track: adsb.lol?icao=a8b479&...
Another bit of trivia - the big round DHS logos on the doors of the vans appear to be magnetic clings that get thrown on after they clear security into the airport; when they drive in, they don't have any obvious markings on them beyond a simple ID number.
November 13, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Another bit of trivia - the big round DHS logos on the doors of the vans appear to be magnetic clings that get thrown on after they clear security into the airport; when they drive in, they don't have any obvious markings on them beyond a simple ID number.
Here's yesterday's ICE flight at MSP, where shackled deportees and George Lucas's jet were both getting handled by Signature Aviation.
The flight was operated by Denver Air Connection's N974DC as TYSON59.
Verification track: adsb.lol?icao=ad92cf&...
The flight was operated by Denver Air Connection's N974DC as TYSON59.
Verification track: adsb.lol?icao=ad92cf&...
November 13, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Here's yesterday's ICE flight at MSP, where shackled deportees and George Lucas's jet were both getting handled by Signature Aviation.
The flight was operated by Denver Air Connection's N974DC as TYSON59.
Verification track: adsb.lol?icao=ad92cf&...
The flight was operated by Denver Air Connection's N974DC as TYSON59.
Verification track: adsb.lol?icao=ad92cf&...
Getting the shackles ready for today's ICE flight at MSP. Operated by Denver Air Connection as TYSON58 on N974DC. I counted 20 people, wearing said shackles, getting loaded today. Tracking data: adsb.lol?icao=ad92cf&...
November 5, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Getting the shackles ready for today's ICE flight at MSP. Operated by Denver Air Connection as TYSON58 on N974DC. I counted 20 people, wearing said shackles, getting loaded today. Tracking data: adsb.lol?icao=ad92cf&...
I’ve been to a good number of protests recently, today’s focused on Sec. Noem near Minneapolis was the loudest and most tense I’ve experienced.
It was particularly moving to see faith leaders standing together across the front doors as the crowd settled down into a more comfortable vibe.
It was particularly moving to see faith leaders standing together across the front doors as the crowd settled down into a more comfortable vibe.
October 25, 2025 at 12:13 AM
I’ve been to a good number of protests recently, today’s focused on Sec. Noem near Minneapolis was the loudest and most tense I’ve experienced.
It was particularly moving to see faith leaders standing together across the front doors as the crowd settled down into a more comfortable vibe.
It was particularly moving to see faith leaders standing together across the front doors as the crowd settled down into a more comfortable vibe.
A few photos of this morning's Lynden Air Cargo L-100 (civilian C-130) flight, apparently picking up components from Delta TechOps needed to repair a 767-400ER at LAX. Annoyingly, this flight didn't show up on my favorite flight tracker.
July 28, 2025 at 10:37 PM
A few photos of this morning's Lynden Air Cargo L-100 (civilian C-130) flight, apparently picking up components from Delta TechOps needed to repair a 767-400ER at LAX. Annoyingly, this flight didn't show up on my favorite flight tracker.
With our firework racks constructed, tonight our attention turns to targets for the corn gun - this year we’ll be shooting grievances from the Declaration of Independence, written on 2x2’ sections of white board.
June 30, 2025 at 2:59 AM
With our firework racks constructed, tonight our attention turns to targets for the corn gun - this year we’ll be shooting grievances from the Declaration of Independence, written on 2x2’ sections of white board.
I really wish we had tested prototype before making a dozen racks and getting garage cleaned up afterwards, only to have to disassemble everything and set up the janky drill press jig, etc. Finished up at 2:00 am or so.
June 29, 2025 at 7:38 PM
I really wish we had tested prototype before making a dozen racks and getting garage cleaned up afterwards, only to have to disassemble everything and set up the janky drill press jig, etc. Finished up at 2:00 am or so.
Turns out my minimalist design was too minimalist! The shallow pockets on the base were too small to keep hold of jostling tubes at launch, so Kid 1 and I stayed up late doing a rework, turning the pockets into holes and raising them 3/4” above a solid plywood base.
June 29, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Turns out my minimalist design was too minimalist! The shallow pockets on the base were too small to keep hold of jostling tubes at launch, so Kid 1 and I stayed up late doing a rework, turning the pockets into holes and raising them 3/4” above a solid plywood base.
Spent the last few evenings building a pile of mortar racks for fireworks next week. The holes/pockets were too much for my chintzy drill press, but we got it done. They’re 24”x8”x10”, and each hold 12 mortar tubes. 1/2” ply for the top, 3/4” on the bottom.
June 27, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Spent the last few evenings building a pile of mortar racks for fireworks next week. The holes/pockets were too much for my chintzy drill press, but we got it done. They’re 24”x8”x10”, and each hold 12 mortar tubes. 1/2” ply for the top, 3/4” on the bottom.
A Sun Country charter from Yuma and a Top Aces F-16 arrived at Volk Field today... I wonder if Northern Lightning is happening early this year? Either way, there's doin's a transpirin'!
I caught a photo of the F-16 that came in today, N860TA, in 2023.
adsb.lol?icao=abd081&...
I caught a photo of the F-16 that came in today, N860TA, in 2023.
adsb.lol?icao=abd081&...
May 28, 2025 at 8:30 PM
A Sun Country charter from Yuma and a Top Aces F-16 arrived at Volk Field today... I wonder if Northern Lightning is happening early this year? Either way, there's doin's a transpirin'!
I caught a photo of the F-16 that came in today, N860TA, in 2023.
adsb.lol?icao=abd081&...
I caught a photo of the F-16 that came in today, N860TA, in 2023.
adsb.lol?icao=abd081&...
The search box has made its triumphant return on Railfan Atlas. railfanatlas.com
May 21, 2025 at 11:11 PM
The search box has made its triumphant return on Railfan Atlas. railfanatlas.com
I don’t get trackside as often as I should these days, but I do have a pretty solid portfolio of railroad photography, mostly from 10-20 years ago. Here are some favorites for #NationalTrainDay.
May 11, 2025 at 2:37 AM
I don’t get trackside as often as I should these days, but I do have a pretty solid portfolio of railroad photography, mostly from 10-20 years ago. Here are some favorites for #NationalTrainDay.