Thread: New Mexico Troops training for border duty

New Mexico Troops training for border duty

By Steve Ramirez sramirez@lcsun-news.com
Posted: 08/19/2010 12:19:07 AM MDT

LAS CRUCES - More "boots on the ground" could become a reality on the U.S.-Mexico border by the end of next week, or Sept. 1 at the latest.

Training continues for 80 New Mexico National Guard troops who will be deployed. In a briefing Wednesday for Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., Brig. Gen. Kenny Montoya, commander of the New Mexico National Guard, said the soldiers are going through final preparations for deployment.

"We are ready," Montoya said. "We're proud and honored to do what our country asks."

Lt. Col. Jamison Herrera, spokesman for the National Guard, said initial plans call for as many as 72 of the 80 additional soldiers to patrol in Do-a Ana County, which shares approximately 53 miles of its border with Mexico.

But he added those plans could change as needed.

"The plan is for the bulk of them to initially be in Do-a Ana County, but that will be a very fluid situation in which they could readily and easily be deployed wherever they are needed most," Herrera said. "A lot will depend on what the needs of the Border Patrol are. They could also be deployed to multiple areas along the border, if circumstances warrant."

During their deployment, the soldiers will be based in Luna County. Herrera said basing the soldiers there would make it quicker and easier to deploy them where they could be needed most. National Guard troops

used during Operation Jump Start, from 2006 until 2008, were also based in Luna County, first at the National Guard Armory and then at a temporary forward operating base, both in Deming.
Other border security and law enforcement agencies in southern New Mexico also participated in the briefing with Udall. He said the cooperation among all of the agencies gave him a greater understanding and appreciation of the efforts under way to deter illegal activities along the border.

"I found out exactly what is going on," Udall said. "This is of great concern to me and to New Mexicans. I learned a lot from this meeting. We had a good, frank discussion."

Steve Ramirez can be reached at (575) 541-5452

Border security
• More New Mexico National Guard troops will soon begin patrolling along the state's border with Mexico.

• Eighty National Guard soldiers will be deployed in New Mexico.

• They will assist U.S. Border Patrol, Customs and Border Protection, and law enforcement agencies in state communities near the border.

http://www.lcsun-news.com/las_cruces-news/ci_15823964

So California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas are sending National Guard Troops to the border.

What are the other states doing?

CA. Governor praises National Guard during border visit
http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-209704.html

AZ. Guardsmen to be on Arizona-Mexico border by end of month
http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-209722.html

Texas Border deployment 'on track,' Guard says
http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-209739.html

New Mexico Troops training for border duty
http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-209800.html