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 Sgt. Stephen Wright

Arkansas National Guard Best Warrior Competition - Ruck March and Army Warrior Tasks

Arkansas National Guard Public Affairs Office

March 2, 2017 | 1:58

Soldiers from various units in the Arkansas national guard, along with soldiers from the Guatemalan army's special forces (Kaibil), were tested on their ability to complete a ruck march with while in full gear and stop at various points along the way to perform certain army warrior tasks.
Guatemala is Arkansas' partner nation in the state partnership program. The Arkansas National Guard regularly conducts training with the Guatemalan army.
The soldiers flew from the airfield to a landing zone where they were dropped off to begin the ruck march. The competitors were limited to completing the ruck march in under 6 hours. Throughout the ruck march, soldiers were required to stop at multiple locations and complete various tasks to standard. They were timed at all events. Those times are figured into their overall ruck march time to determine the winner of the total ruck march.
At the first station, soldiers were required to dawn protective gear. They then had to acquire a grenade launcher and run to a specified location where they were then required to shoot 4 targets with the 5 rounds provided. They rounds used were made of chalk and not explosive.
After that station, competitors then ruck marched down to an area where they were required to successfully throw a hand grenade and disable enemy targets. They then assaulted an objective and cleared a building. They were expected to use modern army combatives tactics to subdue a hostile enemy. They then had to simulate rendering first aid to a fallen soldier and then evacuate that injured soldier.
Competitors then ruck marched down to a range where they sighted in their m-4 rifle before rucking to other stations where they were required to successfully engage targets with the m249 squad automatic weapon (saw), the MK19 automatic grenade launcher and a pistol.
After completing all of the required tasks, the competitors then completed the last leg of the ruck march.
Soldiers then went to a swimming pool to compete against each other for time, and successful completion of, various Combat Water Survival Training (CWST) tasks.