SAN DIEGO - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and leaders from the California National Guard visited troops today along the border in San Diego County that they will monitor with border patrol agents for the next year.
A handful of Joint Task Force Sierra Soldiers and Airmen represented the more than 250 California Guard members, who will participate in the southwest border operation.
Air Force Brig. Gen. Mary J. Kight, the adjutant general of the California National Guard, joined the governor in recognizing the efforts citizen-Soldiers and border patrol agents were making to ensure homeland security at the Otay Mesa site.
Guard members will assist Customs and Border Protection agents to patrol 60 miles across land and 114 coastal miles, acting as additional eyes and ears to deter drug and human trafficking.
California troops are expected to be fully operational by Sept. 1. This manning is in response to President Barack Obama’s call for 1,200 servicemembers deployed across the four border states to act as reinforcement for CBP and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
One Guardsman who stood near the official party during the visit said this was his first time to meet and shake hands with these state officials.
“This was very important,” said the sergeant whose name is not being released due to security reasons. “It gives us motivation as we prepare to begin the mission.”
Schwarzenegger thanked the Guardsmen for their service and support and added that the CBP agents also told him how thankful they were for the Guard’s assistance during a tour earlier in the day.
He also said land avenues and maritime accesses will remain a concern for state leaders not only through the duration of this mission, but beyond it as well.
“It’s important to remember that this is only the beginning,” Schwarzenegger said. “Securing our border has to be the number one priority – there’s no two ways about that.”
Kight said the California Guard is proud to be at the forefront of homeland security.
“We are ready to support efforts here at the border,” she said to the governor.
The governor said he heard her loud and clear and later added that “our Soldiers and Airmen are true action heroes, who respond to disasters at home and overseas.”
He also said he was impressed that California was the first of the four border states to be mission-ready.
Just hearing their commander-in-chief and senior military officials laud them for their service was thanks enough for some troops.
“This showed that we have their 100 percent support on this mission,” said another staff sergeant. “Personally, I feel this mission is a great asset to the country, especially the state of California. I’m glad our leadership recognizes this.”
Col. William “Rudy” Arruda, who became the newly appointed Joint Task Force Sierra commander on the same day as the governor’s visit, agreed with the staff sergeant and said, “Today’s event showed solid support for the mission and solid support for the Guardsmen.”