California National Guard Deploys 224 Soldiers and Airmen to Support Border Patrol

Strategic Insights -

California's Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced today that 224 soldiers and airmen have completed their training to support U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on the California-Mexico border. The deployment, expected to become fully operational on September 1, marks the first state to have its troops trained and operational for this mission. The California National Guard (CNG) service members will provide much-needed assistance to help secure the border, with duties including entry identification and criminal analysis.

Key Takeaways:

  • The California National Guard has deployed 224 soldiers and airmen to support U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on the California-Mexico border.
  • The deployment is expected to become fully operational on September 1, marking the first state to have its troops trained and operational for this mission.
  • The CNG service members will perform a variety of duties, including entry identification and criminal analysis, with entry identification teams providing additional assistance to CBP by watching from strategic remote sites and reporting any suspicious activity to patrolling agents.
  • The Governor believes that more border patrol agents are needed to reduce illegal border crossings and end human trafficking and the influx of narcotics, with a goal of adding 6,000 border patrol agents to the force.
  • This is not the first time the California National Guard has been deployed to support border security, with a previous deployment beginning in June 2006 and a request for extension made in February 2008.
  • Governor Schwarzenegger has consistently advocated for increasing border patrol agents and funding for the National Guard Counter-Drug Program.

Statistics:

  • 224 soldiers and airmen have completed their training to support U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on the California-Mexico border.
  • The deployment is for up to one year in support of counternarcotics and border security operations.
  • 1,200 National Guard personnel are expected to be deployed along the southwest border of the U.S. as part of President Barack Obama's proposal.
  • The California National Guard has been called to support federal efforts to secure the U.S.-Mexico border for up to one year.

Sources:

  • Office of the Governor of California: "Governor Schwarzenegger Announces First of 224 California National Guard Soldiers and Airmen Complete Training, Now Ready to Support Border Patrol"
  • Internal California National Guard documents: General Order Number 2006-01, issued in June 2006, directing the California National Guard to temporarily support federal efforts to secure the U.S.-Mexico border.
  • Letters to President Bush, dated February 2008 and April 2008, from Governor Schwarzenegger and the governors of Arizona and New Mexico, urging Congressional leaders to support an extension of Operation Jump Start.
  • Letter to Congressional leaders, dated April 2009, from Governor Schwarzenegger and the governors of the southwest border states, urging the full funding of the National Guard Counter-Drug Program.