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 Spc. Aven Santiago

Hawaii Soldiers monitor air quality during Hawaii lava flow

State of Hawaii, Department of Defense, Public Affairs Office

May 30, 2018 | 2:08

Hawaii Army National Guard soldiers are teaming up with civilian first responders as they monitor air levels around areas impacted by lava. The soldiers from the 93rd WMD-CST are checking for any hazardous air conditions as they patrol Hawaii County.

"We want to make sure that basically it’s safety," said Staff Sgt. Marc Aquino, 93rd CST. "For the civilians as well as the first responders and ensure that at any time they’re working or going about their lives that the designated area is safe to move."

Some of the areas they are monitoring include possible evacuation sites and landing zones for first responders. But not only is it the air that they’re testing, but the threat of acid rain as well. With the lava reaching the ocean, the chemicals in the fumes can rise and combine with the falling rain. That can make the rain itself acidic and dangerous

"With that in mind, that’s why we do paper tests," said Staff Sgt. Marc Aquino, 93rd CST. "We use these pH acid level tests that will help you determine that and it will give you a clear indicator. Not only does it help give us the pH levels of it but it also lets us know if our detection equipment is safe because they’re also susceptible to being damaged by that rain.”

The 93rd CST supporting the Hawaii County mission include Airmen from the Hawaii Air National Guard, civilian first responders, well as soldiers from the California Army National Guard and Delaware Army National Guard.