NM Guard chief says troops helpful on border

[unhappycamper]

NM Guard chief says troops helpful on border
By Sue Major Holmes - The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Jan 14, 2009 11:18:35 EST

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — If New Mexico National Guard Maj. Gen. Kenny Montoya could give Homeland Security Secretary-designate Janet Napolitano advice about using Guard troops on the border, it would be this: Don’t do another Operation Jumpstart directed from Washington.

Montoya believes Napolitano, the Arizona governor who has been tapped for the federal post by President-elect Obama, wants to build up forces along the border again.

President Bush in May 2005 ordered 6,000 National Guard troops to Arizona, Texas, California and New Mexico to help the Border Patrol cut illegal immigration. Troops were deployed in observation post along the Mexican border.

In August, well before Obama’s election, Napolitano urged federal officials not to reduce those troops. Federal officials said they could reduce Guard troops because the Border Patrol added more agents, but Napolitano said the drawdown should be halted so authorities can fight human smuggling and other illegal activity.

Montoya would like to see money permanently put into efforts to fight drug-running along the border, but leaving states in control of training soldiers and deciding how funds would be spent.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/01/ap_guard_border_011409/%2e