Guardsmen on the border

| August 15, 2010

The Federal Times says that 420 Guardsmen from their respective States are either on the Mexican border or training for the mission. That’s about a 1/3 of the 1200 who were promised to begin the operation last month.

“We’re seeing plenty of volunteers,” Harrison said in a news conference call from the National Guard Bureau in Arlington, Va.

All 524 Guard members assigned to the Arizona-Mexico border will be volunteers from the Arizona National Guard, said Lt. Valentine Castillo, a spokesman for the Arizona guard.

In Arizona, none of those troops are at the border yet, said Lt. Valentine Castillo, a spokesman for the Arizona National Guard.

But, ya know, this administration promised troops on the border, so if they show up or not isn’t particularly important – their heart was in the right place.

Category: Illegal Immigrants

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NHSparky

Alright, since I’m a squid, I’m gonna leave this question to the ground pounders out there…roughly how much of a front can 1200 men be reasonably expected to cover?

Just a thought.

Cannoneer No. 4

1200 unarmed men can “cover” about 3.6 kilometers, if by “cover” you mean “control” or “stop”.

1200 designated marksmen with .50 Barretts and authorization to use deadly force could “cover” by fire most of 1200 kilometers.

1200 Stryker-mounted cavarlymen in two Reconnaissance, Surveillance & Target Acquisition squadrons with appropriate rules of engagement could “control” & “cover” by fires & observation pretty much the whole border from El Paso to San Diego.

All of the above is merely an amusing tactical fantasy to discuss on a Sunday afternoon. AZARNG troops are not going to be allowed to break any National Border Patrol Council/American Federation of Government Employees/AFL-CIO union rice bowls or constrict the flow of undocumented Democrats to the voting booths.

BooRadley

How is it I cannot FATHOM the conflict here. I don’t care if a million mexican LEGALS come here a week. But illegal is ILLEGAL. I mean, I don’t even UNDERSTAND the opposing argument! How can you (as a legal immigrant or child of an immigrant or human being in general) not want these cayotes to go away for a very LONG time! Do they really not care about the women who “pay” for their trip or the men and women who are locked into slavery after becoming indebted to the cayote? Illegal immigration needs to be stomped to PROTECT the people who want to come here.
I just don’t understand. Upholding the law is good for EVERYONE. jeez

Mew

#3 100% agreement, it’s about the votes and money.

#2 Send in the Strykers! I love Strykers!

proof

Now take your 1200 men and and schedule them around the clock, seven days a week, and now you have fewer than 300 “on the border” at any given time (or riding desks, wherever this administration sends them) and have them patrol a 1,969 mile long border.
That gives you an addition man every 6 1/2 to 7 miles.

Oh, yeah. This administration is serious about sealing the borders.

DaveA

What amuses me is when Janet and Barack say that the border can never be secured because it is to long. Obviously, being the highly educated, astute historians that they are they do not believe that we secured the border between East and West Germany and North and South Korea. Did some get through yes did a lot die trying hell yes, but for the most part those borders were highly secure, or did i and others spend all those years in both places for nothing freezing our asses off. I just wish these assholes would think before they speak. Oh, that’s right their politicians first, leaders second.

Paul

#3 welcome to the breakdown of the rule of law.

#2 & #4, really? strykers? I’m ashamed you’ve even brought up such horrible vehicles.

Daniel

Horrible vehicles? What’s wrong with Strykers?

I liked them because they provide armor mobility and protection but pretty much maintain an infantry mindset.

While nothing beats a good old M1A1 the Strykers are a lot of fun.

Old Tanker

While nothing beats a good old M1A1…

you are correct sir!!!!

Paul

ugh… tankers…

Jacobite

I’d even take an old M60A3. 🙂 (I’m another ‘Old Tanker’) 😉

Cannoneer No. 4

I got you DATs beat. M48A5

Cannoneer No. 4

First Tank! Can Do E G

Jacobite

‘DAT’s’, hehehehehehehe, haven’t heard that one in a long long time….

Clankity clank goes the tank……. 🙂

LoneStar Infantry

I’m afraid it’s worse than you think. As an E-4 in the TXARNG who’s trying to get on the mission, the latest word is that we will be strictly operational support/ desk jockey types. And as of this past weekend, of 1500 troops applying for 250-odd slots, 8 packets have been submitted/approved. this is all a dog-and-pony show for the administration, but i’ll suck it up, take the money, and finish college!

P.S. though the numbers and mission are hearesay, they are from reliable sources who are in the know. but hearsay nonetheless