Securing-the-Southern-Border

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Arizona National Guard’s Task Force SAFE Strengthens Border Security
May 13, 2025 — NOGALES, Ariz. — In an effort to disrupt the flow of illegal drugs into the United States, Arizona... MORE

U.S. Soldiers with the Arizona Army National Guard and U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents inspect a cooler of fish for illegal drugs or other contraband items at the Dennis DeConcini Port of Entry in Nogales, Arizona, April 30, 2025.

Texas Guard Members Bolster Border Patrol Efforts along Rio Grande
May 7, 2025 — ROMA, Texas – A steady breeze rolled across a closed bridge crossing the Rio Grande, offering relief... MORE

A U.S. Soldier with the Texas Army National Guard monitors activity along the Rio Grande during a patrol near Roma, Texas, April 25, 2025.

Maryland Guard Soldiers Return Home From Border Mission
March 19, 2025 — EDGEWOOD, Md. – Maryland Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 1st Battalion, 224th Aviation... MORE

Maryland Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 1st Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment, celebrated their return home from federal deployment under the direction of U.S. Northern Command at Weide Army Heliport at the Army Aviation Support Facility at Aberdeen Proving Ground-South March 8, 2025.

Oregon National Guard Prepares for Southern Border Mission
March 13, 2025 — SALEM, Ore. - The Oregon National Guard's 1249th Engineer Battalion is preparing for a year-long... MORE

Soldiers from the Oregon National Guard's 1249th Engineer Battalion stand in formation during a change of command ceremony at the Anderson Readiness Center in Salem, Oregon, Sept. 8, 2024. The battalion is preparing for a year-long mobilization to support security operations along the southern border beginning October 2025.

District of Columbia Guard Returns from Border Mission
February 18, 2025 — WASHINGTON – About two dozen District of Columbia Army National Guard Aviation Command members... MORE

Left to right, Brig. Gen. Leland D. Blanchard II, the adjutant general for the District of Columbia National Guard; Maj. Gen. John C. Andonie, commanding general (Interim) for the D.C. National Guard; Capt. Corbin Cali, aviation operations officer and Det 1 A Co 1/224th S&S commander; Sgt. 1st Class Richard Molezzo, Det 1 A Co 1/224th S&S NCOIC; Chief Warrant Officer 5 Bernard L. Aguon, command chief warrant officer for the D.C. National Guard, and Lt. Col. Ryan Rooks, state aviation officer for the D.C. Army National Guard. About two dozen D.C. Guard members returned home following a 12-month deployment to the southern border.

Texas National Guard Operation Lone Star Helps Secure Border
February 11, 2025 — ROMA, Texas - National Guard members continue to play a key role in sealing and securing the... MORE

A Texas Army National Guard Soldier looks across the Rio Grande River near Roma, Texas, while taking part in border operations with the Texas Tactical Border Force, Feb. 5, 2025. The TTBF, comprising Texas National Guard members in a state active duty status, works with state and federal law enforcement officials, including U.S. Border Patrol, to deter, detect and stop illegal border crossings and to interdict transnational criminals.

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Video by Dee Crawford

T262 Hella Military Working Dog Tooth Extraction

Training Support Activity Europe

Feb. 19, 2016 | 1:11

On 11 February 2016, MWD Hella T262, a 5.5 year old, female, spayed Belgian Malanios presented for a routine dental cleaning. During this cleaning, incisor 302 (one of the front teeth on the lower jaw) was found to be fractured and the root was exposed. Radiographs were taken, and an area of lucency (lighter area compared to the surrounding bone and tooth) was found at the base of the tooth below the gumline indicating a possible root abscess (infection). On 19 February, Hella T262 presented to the VTF to extract that fractured tooth. When she first arrived, her temperature, heart rate and respiratory rate were measured and the veterinarian performed a physical exam to make sure she was ok to undergo another anesthetic event. She was then given a sedative/pain medication combination to help take the edge off and to have pain medication on board before the potentially painful event begins. Once she was sedate, a catheter was placed in her right front arm to provide fluid therapy during the anesthetic event. She was then induced for anesthesia and an endotracheal tube was placed in her trachea. This allows us to deliver oxygen and the anesthetic gas directly into the lungs of the animal. After the tube was placed properly, the anesthetic gas was delivered to the patient throughout the procedure. The veterinary technician and Hella’s handler connected several monitoring devices to her body which included a rectal thermometer, non-invasive blood pressure, end-tidal CO2, echocardiograph and heart rate leads, and the veterinarian administered a local anesthetic for that tooth. After the local set in, the veterinarian started the tooth extraction. Several different sized and shaped elevators were used to slowly break down the periodontal ligament. This ligament is almost like a zipper that surrounds the entire tooth, holding it in place. To remove the tooth, these zipper-like connections have to be broken. The elevators help in this process. Eventually, the periodontal ligament was broken enough to pull the tooth out. The hole was flushed with sterile saline and packed with an absorbent material to facilitate clotting. Radiographs were taken to make sure the entire tooth was removed. It was. The absorbent material was removed and the hole was closed with two small stitches. The anesthetic gas was discontinued, and when the patient was swallowing on her own, the endotracheal tube was removed. When she started to lift her head, additional pain medication was given, and she also went home with a supply of pain medication. Recovery was uneventful, and Hella T262 is back at work, happy and healthy.(U.S. Army Video by Visual Information Specialist Dee Crawford/Released)