The FBI monitors and intercepts telephone calls from the air.

The FBI has created a small squadron, dozens of aircraft that circle at a low altitude over American cities.

On board these reconnaissance planes, they shoot video, listen to cell phones and monitor them using the most advanced technologies.

The activity of the squadron is hidden under the cover of secrecy: all airplanes are the property of fictitious companies.

Equipment for conducting surveillance of US citizens from airplanes is used, as a rule, without the permission of a judge.

The FBI stated that the purpose of the flight is to assist specific ongoing investigations, and dummy companies are used to ensure the safety of pilots and aircraft. In addition, if a private plane is circling over the city, and not a police plane, the suspect is unlikely to think that FBI agents are spying on his side.

Only in the last 30 days have these small planes flown more than over 30 cities in 11 states across the country.

Intelligence from the air indicates how blurred the border between legal and illegal is in law enforcement. On the other hand, the government claims that aerial surveillance is an important tool in the investigation of criminal cases and the fight against terrorism.

The question of civil liberties remains open.

US law enforcement agencies have confirmed the widespread use of “reconnaissance” aircraft owned by at least 13 fictitious companies with mysteriously faceless names such as KQM Aviation or NBR PXW Services.

The FBI is extremely cautious and does not reflect air surveillance in documents filed with the courts.

“The FBI's aviation program is no secret,” said FBI spokesman Christopher Allen. “However, the number of aircraft and their technical capabilities are classified for operational security reasons.”

The federal budget for the 2010 year says that the FBI observation park has at least 115 aircraft.