National Guard Ramps Up Southwest Border Support

An Army National Guard soldier works as a member of an entry identification team watching the U.S./Mexico border near Nogales, Ariz., during Operation Jump Start on Jan. 17, 2007. Entry identification team s also will support Customs and Border Protection to secure the border during a new border mission that kicked off Aug. 1, 2010. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jim Greenhill


Editors Note: To my ALE gov/mil friends, it will soon be time to start watching for some new ALE addresses on the NG HF nets.

By Army Staff Sgt. Jim Greenhill, National Guard Bureau

ARLINGTON, Va. - National Guard troops in four states are in training today as they prepare to join colleagues already supporting Border Patrol agents on the nation's Southwest border.

The National Guard has been providing Southwest border support for a number of years through its counterdrug program, said Army Maj. Gen. Peter Aylward, who is coordinating the latest operation at the National Guard Bureau. "Today we have more than 360 folks providing that kind of support," he added. "For this new mission, we have 117 folks, and we'll ramp up as part of a phased, deliberate operation to as many as 1,200."

These Guardsmen will support Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement authorities in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California.

Guard deployments over the last 20 years have increased capabilities in such a fashion that it puts more Border Patrol agents' boots on the ground, David Aguilar, deputy customs and border protection commissioner, said in June after Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano announced the latest deployment.

Homeland Security works with federal, state, local, tribal and Mexican partners to crack down on border-related crime and smuggling while facilitating legitimate travel and commerce.

Support from the National Guard has worked out very well, Aguilar said, noting that the Guardsmen don't arrest or engaging in enforcement activities directly attributed to illegal crossings of aliens or narcotics. "The National Guard ... will bring us a tremendous amount of capability in securing our borders," he added.

"We're designed to be in a support role for [Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement]," Aylward said. "Whenever there is an opportunity for law enforcement functions, it is up to those law enforcement officials to take whatever action they can under the authorities that they already have."

The majority of the Guard members will support the Border Patrol with entry identification teams and support Immigration and Customs Enforcement with criminal investigative analysts for one year.

The teams monitor the border from strategic observation points with state-of-the-art surveillance and detection tactics and technology in support of local law enforcement.

"It equates to what we normally do in military ops as observation posts/listening posts," Aylward said, "but there is some unique gear, and there are some unique protocols that they use from an operational security point of view that the teams really need to understand how to use them because they'll be out in very remote locations in some instances."

The criminal investigative analysts will assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in reducing the flow of illegal bulk currency and weapons from the United States to Mexico.

"Their work has to use special systems, and because the people may be doing this for the first time, we want to make sure they're thoroughly vetted and thoroughly understand what kind of activity they will be performing while they're on that mission," Aylward said. "These are things that will fill key, niche areas for our colleagues so that they can recruit, train and employ more than 1,000 folks over that one-year period of time."

The largest number of troops – 524 – is slated to deploy in Arizona, according to a Homeland Security Department news release. An estimated 250 will deploy in Texas, 224 in California and 72 in New Mexico. Additional troops from these states also will serve in command and control or support positions.

"Both the Air Guard and the Army Guard will be members of the team," Aylward said. "It's a great team effort to help provide that bridge to our colleagues."

Last week, for example, about 20 members of the California Air Guard's 163rd Reconnaissance Wing based at March Air Reserve Base, and the 147th Combat Communication Squadron out of San Diego were deployed to the border as part of the state's support of Homeland Security.

The National Guard successfully supported the border security mission during Operation Jump Start from 2006 to 2008.

"The National Guard historically has always performed well," Aylward said. "This is a very important mission for this nation that's an intensification of earlier efforts that began in 1993. This is just another chapter of a great initiative."

Proposed Legislation - CAP Air Support for Border Security

From the CAP website - to parents: "CAP is the volunteer, non-profit auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force. Its three missions are to develop its cadets, educate Americans on the importance of aviation and space, and perform live-saving humanitarian missions."

Now do you want your children and grandchildren chasing Coyotes and Drug Smugglers along the US-Mexico Border? Counter-Narco missions, government classified missions? If a republican congressman from Pennsylvania Charles Dent has he way, your loved ones will be at risk flying border support missions along the US-Mexico Border (see below).

When will this insanity with the CAP and other civilian volunteer groups end? This is suppose to be an volunteer educational program for young people, not a government sponsored militia outfit. Guess you can now understand why their frequencies are FOUO and some of their programs such as Archer are classified.

This is just another example of the government run amok after 9/11 with the formation of the Department of Homeland Security. CAP, MARS, SHARES, NTCN, NCC, and many more failed communications programs that are conducting mission outside their original charter, redundant or do nothing, and suck up valuable HF spectrum. Guess it is time for another Monitoring Times editorial.

Larry


Congressman Dent introduces legislation to provide air support for border security

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent (PA-15), a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, today announced the introduction of his bill, the “Civil Air Patrol Homeland Security Support Act of 2007,” to bolster efforts at securing America’s borders. Congressman Dent made the announcement at Queen City Municipal Airport in Allentown, surrounded by volunteer pilots and cadets of the Civil Air Patrol.

“This bill will authorize the Department of Homeland Security to enlist Civil Air Patrol (CAP) assets to help in the fight to keep our borders secure,” Congressman Dent said. “This bill emerged in part from what I learned on a Congressional delegation trip to the U.S.-Mexico border at Laredo, Texas.”

Congressman Dent’s legislation authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to utilize CAP assets in two important kinds of homeland security missions. First, they can be deployed to protect against illegal entry, as well as against “trafficking in goods, currency, people, and other substances.” Second, they can also be utilized in response to an act of terrorism or natural disaster by assisting in damage assessment, search and rescue, evacuations, and the transportation of essential materials.

“While at Laredo I was disturbed and surprised to learn that the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) does not have access to enough aviation assets to help them counter the influx of illegal aliens migrating across the Rio Grande,” Congressman Dent said. “This legislation would help CBP increase its aerial surveillance capabilities at the border by enlisting the aid of the Civil Air Patrol.

“Our local CAP officials have informed me that they are eager to participate in America’s homeland security mission. The cost of flying and maintaining CAP aircraft is relatively inexpensive, the pilots are experienced, and the need for their assistance is great.”

CAP is the official civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force. Congressman Dent said CAP has authorized a “Concept of Operations,” which provides the mechanism for CAP assets to be used for missions not specifically directed by the Secretary of Defense. Congressman Dent’s bill would formalize that arrangement between the Air Force and the Department of Homeland Security.

“I believe that by bringing CAP into the homeland security equation, this legislation will help in our fight against illegal immigration and will become an integral part of our nation’s strategy to maintain border security.”

Congressman Dent, who serves as Ranking Member (minority chairman) of the Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness and Response, intends to submit the legislation immediately upon Congress’ return to legislative business on 27 February.