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 Staff Sgt. Douglas Anderson

Army Reserve Soldiers provide relief for nature preserve visitors

318th Theater Public Affairs Support Element

May 22, 2016 | 6:40

Nestled in the foothills of the San Joaquin Valley lies one of the last vestiges of the oak riparian forest, an area with a unique ecosystem where various animals and plant life exist in harmony. The Kaweah Oaks Preserve allows visitors the ability to experience nature as it once was before settlements and farming took over most of this area.
The 672nd Engineering Company, out of Missoula, Montana, is spending five months at this site, performing various repairs at the preserve and constructing a permanent restroom facility for the visitors. They are working as part of the Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) program in which the Army Reserve provides services for community programs and entities such as the Kaweah Oaks Preserve. The idea behind the IRT program is to provide a community service while allowing Army Reserve units to train and practice their skills. The 672nd is proof that this program is very successful.
“Soldiers get a chance to learn their skills in the classroom and apply those skills with hands-on experience,” explained First Lt. Renn Scott, executive officer of the 672nd Engineer Company.
“Having five months out here give Soldiers the chance to do things right instead of having to rush through a project, and enables the Soldiers the chance to do things they don’t always have the chance to do in other missions. It really adds to their readiness as a unit,” said Scott.
The IRT mission also takes advantage of civilian skills and gives lower ranking Soldiers the chance to teach higher ranking Soldiers new skills. This is unique in the Army Reserve; typically in the active component of the Army, skills and experience come with rank. The civilian experience in the Reserve adds to the capability of the unit.
After the project is over, the visitors to the Kaweah Oaks Preserve will enjoy updated facilities and the Soldiers of the 672nd will have additional construction skills that make them that much more of an asset to the Army Reserve and active component of the Army.