STATEMENT ON NATIONAL GUARD EXTENSION ALONG SOUTHWEST BORDER
Written by Post Public Information Representative, Jun 18, 2011, 0 Comments
Courtesy Jose Borjon,
Washington, D.C. – Secretary of Defense Robert Gates signed an order extending the temporary deployment of National Guard personnel along the Southwest border through September 30, 2011. Since their arrival at the end of last summer, thousands of National Guard Soldiers and Airmen have served alongside U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers and agents to thwart violence associated with Mexican drug cartels. Their efforts and assistance to CBP have not only yielded the seizure of more than 14,000 pounds of drugs, but they have also strengthened the multi-layered approach to combat the smuggling of persons, illegal narcotics, and dangerous weapons along our border.
This announcement comes at a critical time. The United States has yet to experience spillover violence thanks in large part to an unparalleled increase in resources, including the National Guard personnel. We must not relinquish our commitment to keeping communities, especially those along the U.S.-Mexico border, safe. I welcome the extension of the National Guard troops as a necessary step in continued efforts to strengthen the security of our border to Mexico, and reduce drug-related violence and illegal activity.”
