Thread: General: More Guard troops will help close border holes

General: More Guard troops will help close border holes

By Steve Ramirez sramirez@lcsun-news.com
Posted: 07/06/2010 10:46:11 PM MDT

For the New Mexico National Guard website, click here.

LAS CRUCES - Maj. Gen. Kenny Montoya, commander of the New Mexico National Guard, was reminded Tuesday of his wishful thinking several years ago of additional troops and resources along the state's border with Mexico.

He said his feelings haven't changed.

"I remember saying that if we could have a hundred extra soldiers on the border, we could do as good a job as we did during Operation Jump Start," said Montoya, referring to increased border surveillance and heightened security the National Guard provided during Jump Start's two-year mission, from 2006 until 2008. "That's why we're getting these extra soldiers now. We can close things up."

From the initial announcement a week ago that 72 additional National Guard troops would be assigned to New Mexico's border with Mexico, Montoya said Tuesday that 82 troops will be assigned to the border as part of the Guard's Counterdrug Program. Of those, 60 will be "boots-on-the-ground" soldiers who will be working at the border.

The soldiers will be in addition to the approximately 70 state National Guard troops who are already working at the border conducting surveillance and assisting the U.S. Border Patrol in patrolling the border.

"I need these extra soldiers," Montoya said. "We have the resources, we have excellent collaboration and cooperation between the National Guard and the

Border Patrol. With what we have and these additional resources, I can honestly say that our citizens along the border are safe."
Montoya and soldiers with the Guard's Counterdrug Program briefed U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., and Randy Hill, new El Paso Sector chief of the U.S. Border Patrol, of the expected impact the additional troops could have along the border. The New Mexico National Guard's Counterdrug Program has been operating at the border for almost 30 years, and Bingaman is trying to secure an additional $6 million to support ongoing program operations.

The program helps fight drug trafficking along the border, and through Bingaman's efforts, more than $16 million in federal funding has been allocated in the past five years for the program.

Bingaman was shown equipment used by the National Guard to fight drug trafficking, including three Kiowa helicopters used for aerial surveillance and "flare" trucks that are equipped with infrared, heat-detecting equipment capable of locating illegal immigrants, and potential unlawful activities, from as far as five miles away. Bingaman said he was impressed with what he learned.

"In recent years, we have significantly increase the number of Border Patrol agents assigned to our border," Bingaman said. "As a result, despite the deadly violence in Mexico, we have been making significant progress in improving the security of our border and the number of individuals entering the country illegally has been dramatically reduced.

"But there is more work to do, and I am here to learn how Border Patrol and the National Guard are going to continue their collaboration to strengthen our border."

Hill said the National Guard's assistance along New Mexico's border has been invaluable.

"When it comes to their collaboration and partnership, we don't have a better partner," Hill said. "They're an outstanding ally. Everybody understands the importance of national security, and the job being done here in New Mexico is second to none."

Bingaman said he is satisfied that as much as possible is being done by the Border Patrol and National Guard to protect New Mexico's border, but that needs to be closely monitored to ensure that potential shifts in illegal activities don't move toward the state.

"It's a valid concern," Bingaman said. "If we see an increase in illegal activities, obviously we'll need to be responsive."

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

By the numbers
• 70: The approximate number of New Mexico National Guard troops currently assigned to the state's border with Mexico.

• 82: The number of additional New Mexico National Guard troops that would be assigned to the border.

• 181: The number of miles, in New Mexico, that are part of the El Paso Sector of the U.S. Border Patrol.

• 1,954: The number of miles of shared border between the U.S. and Mexico.

• 1,200: The total number of National Guard troops that will be added along the border.

• 524: The number of National Guard troops to be assigned in Arizona.

• 250: The number of National Guard troops to be assigned in Texas.

• 224: The number of National Guard troops to be assigned in California.

• 90: The approximate number of days before National Guard troops will start appearing along New Mexico's border with Mexico.

Border bound
• 82 additional New Mexico National Guard troops will be assigned to the Guard's Counterdrug Program.

• Of those soldiers, 60 will be serving at the border, in addition to the approximately 70 soldiers already working there.

• The soldiers will be conducting surveillance and providing assistance to U.S. Border Patrol agents already working along the border.

• The additional soldiers are expected to be at the border for at least a year, but an exact end date of when their service will terminate has not been announced.

http://www.lcsun-news.com/ci_15453837

The good general has his marching orders.

It would suck to be him, knowing that he is being used as a political dog-and-pony show to cause Americans to think this paltry and weak display will protect our border.

Are these troops ARMED and AUTHORIZED to SHOOT TO KILL?

Are they allowed to even defend themselves with weapons should 15 or 20 drug cartel forces suddenly invade their camps firing fully automatic weapons and grenade launchers?

Who remembers the last time this fiasco went down, and how effective it was?

Well let me be the first to tell you, it was under George Bush and it was did absolutely NOTHING to repel the invasion - NOTHING!

The National Guard's Mission

Links
Southwest Border Slideshow
Southwest Border Images Gallery
Southwest Border state and
sector boundaries map (PPT)

Thousands of National Guard Soldiers and Airmen served along the United States’ border with Mexico – in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California – to support the U.S. Border Patrol’s efforts to stem the flow of illegal immigrants into this country. Their mission was named Operation Jump Start. Many of the Guard members who supported this mission came from the four border states. Others were from other parts of the country.
These are the stories and photos of the National Guard Soldiers and Airmen who participated in Operation Jump Start. They embody the National Guard’s promise to America – Always Ready, Always There.

Border Stories
Guardsmen support border mission with information - July 3, 2008
29th ID troops patrol the border in Arizona - July 2, 2008
President Thanks National Guard for Helping Secure U.S.-Mexico Border - April 9, 2007
Oregon Guardsmen serve unique mission in Operation Jump Start - March 15, 2007
South Dakota National Guard engineers support border mission - February 9, 2007
More Texas National Guard Called Up to Protect U.S.-Mexico Border - January 24, 2007
Operation Jump Start a success, officials say - December 11, 2006
Along the southwest border, one size does not fit all - December 11, 2006
Indiana Guard Has Big Impact on Border Mission - November 17, 2006
Border Patrol Recognizes Three California National Guard Soldiers - November 8, 2006
South Dakota National Guard supports border mission - November 6, 2006
Operation Jump Start tours available for Air Guard members - October 10, 2006
Citizen-Soldiers, Airmen making a difference on the border - September 20, 2006
Arkansas Soldiers Keep Watch on New Mexico Desert - August 28, 2006
Texas National Guardsmen Assist Border Patrol Agents In Seizing Over
$3.2 Million In Marijuana - August 15, 2006
California Guard members at home on Border Patrol’s range - July 26, 2006
West Virginia Air Guard unit jump starts medical care - July 20, 2006
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Read any of these articles @

http://www.ng.mil/features/southwestborder/default.aspx

I agree with the General. But we do not agree with Obama. He does not want to send more troops. Therefore, we need a new president. Let's elect another president in 2012. Obama is not working for Americans. Obama is working against Americans. Who needs Obama? We do not.