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Port of Nogales Highlights Expansion of Operation Guardian Support

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Public Affairs - Visual Communications Division

Aug. 1, 2018 | 3:42

Port of Nogales Highlights Expansion of Operation Guardian Support

TUCSON, Ariz. – The National Guard is improving national security as Operation Guardian support expands at Arizona’s ports of entry.

Since the operation began in April, 375 volunteer National Guard members are now assigned to the Office of Field Operations, 40 at the Port of Nogales.

National Guard personnel are conducting traffic, inspecting cargo, assisting with x-ray machine operations, and completing secondary cargo and vehicle inspections, vital aspects of protecting the U.S. homeland while ensuring legitimate trade and travel at Arizona’s ports of entry.

Area Port Director Michael Humphries said the support is providing officers relief from extra duties, allowing law enforcement officials to focus on aspects of the CBP mission that require law enforcement authority, increasing the numbers of inspections the port can conduct.

“Having National Guard personnel assist our CBP officers at the ports of entry expands our labor pool and as a result, helps us respond to the variety of threats such as, drugs, weapons, illegal aliens, and possible terrorists, while helping CBP facilitate legitimate trade and travel,” said Humphries during a press event today at the port.

The director praised the National Guard for their support and said their speed at implementing their assigned duties removes extra duties and pressure from law enforcement officials who are relieved of duties not requiring law enforcement credentials.

Col. Hoyt Slocum, commander, Task Force Guardian, showcased the expanding role of Operation Guardian Support by addressing members of the media and touring the port with Director Humphries.

He emphasized border security and national security cannot be separated and proudly highlighted partner state Guardsmen from Wisconsin, Indiana, Maine, Iowa, and Kentucky who have volunteered to fill the Task Force’s ranks.

He reiterated the Port Director’s remarks of military members being force multipliers for CBP. His team introduced Private Tessa Gragg, a new member of the Arizona National Guard with only a year-in service, who is proudly serving Operation Guardian Support inspecting commercial vehicle cargo for contraband, proper labeling, and compliance with U.S. regulations.

Her teammate in vehicle inspections, Specialist Kimberly Burdick is a Guardsmen from Wisconsin, who said she wasn’t sure what to expect when she arrived, but was greeted by a welcoming Office of Field Operations who immediately made her feel like a valued member of the team.

“This is all about teamwork,” said Burdick, “What we’re doing here is important and it feels good to be a part of this mission protecting the U.S.”

Operation Guardian Support has proven to be a success along the Southwest Border, with National Guard personnel deployed to areas of Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has a decades-long successful partnership with the Department of Defense and its National Guard.

Photography by CBPO Scot Osborne, CBP Tucson.