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. Benjamin Bugenig

Raptor Rescue

9th Reconnaissance Wing

April 29, 2019 | 2:13

EOD Flight Chief, MSgt Jayson Wells saw an opportunity to help an injured owl in need of rehabilitation. After 6 weeks of recuperation and care, Wells was able to set Rex free to go back to his home.

RAPTOR RESCUE TRANSCRIPT:

MSGT JAYSON WELLS:
SO I LIKE TO THINK OF THE LION KING, THE CIRCLE OF LIFE, ESPECIALLY HERE ON BEALE. WE HAVE SO MANY ACRES OF WILDNESS.
SIX WEEKS AGO I WAS DRIVING INTO WORK ON CHUCK JAEGER AND RIGHT BEFORE DRIVING INTO GRASS VALLEY GATE I NOTICED WHAT APPEARED TO BE RAPTOR. WHICH IN THIS CASE TURNED OUT TO BE AN OWL, AND A TRUCK WAS DRIVING RIGHT OVER TOP OF HIM.
I THINK MY HEART SKIPPED A BEAT BECAUSE I REALLY LOVE THESE ANIMALS. SO I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, I DID A QUICK ASSESSMENT, AND DECIDED THAT THIS BIRD HAD A CHANCE TO RECOVER. AND I MET A WONDERFUL LADY, WHOSE NAME WAS KIM FRANZA, AND SHE ASSISTED IN… AND ACTUALLY DID THE BRUNT OF THE WORK IN REHABILITATING THIS OWL, A GREAT HORNED OWL BACK TO HEALTH.
SIX WEEKS LATER AFTER A LOT OF NURTURING IT’S REALLY NO DIFFERENT THAN OUR VETERANS WHO ARE RETURNING HOME AND ITS REALLY DEPENDENT ON THE RESILIENCY OF THE ANIMAL. SO IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE, WE NAMED HIM REX, A LITTLE GREAT HORNED OWL THAT’S SMALLER THAN MOST, BUT IN SIX WEEKS WHEN I WENT TO GO HELP MS. KIM ASSESS HIM FURTHER SHE HANDED THE BIRD OFF TO ME AND I HAD TO DO A SECOND HANDOFF BECAUSE OF HOW STRONG HE WAS.
IT WAS LIKE NIGHT AND DAY.
AFTER A LOT OF WORK, TIME AND EFFORT, THEN YOU RE-INTRODUCE HIM TO AROUND TEN MILES OF WHERE YOU FOUND THE ANIMAL.
THEN DURING EARTH WEEK WE RELEASED HIM BACK INTO THE WILD.