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EMBARGO: Media Invite for coverage ONLY
Information in this ALERT is
EMBARGOED for release until after 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 10, 2018.
NOT FOR PRE-EVENT PUBLICATION/BROADCAST OR Social Media Posting.
EMBARGO: Media Invite for coverage ONLY
Information in this ALERT is
EMBARGOED for release until after 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 10, 2018.
NOT FOR PRE-EVENT PUBLICATION/BROADCAST OR Social Media Posting.
May 9, 2018
Contact: Maj. W. B. Phillips, II
State Public Affairs Officer
Arkansas National Guard
501-212-5020 / 501-590-0318
william.b.phillips18.mil@mail.mil
Arkansas Guard to Deploy Soldiers and Aircraft to Southwest Border
~Soldiers leave home to assist the Nation’s Border Patrol
WHO: The Arkansas National Guard
WHAT: Is deploying approximately 10 Soldiers and two UH-72 Lakota helicopters in support of agencies operating in southern Border States. The Border Patrol will remain the lead federal agency and the Arkansas Guardsmen will fall under control of the Governor in their area of operations.
PHOTO OPS AND INTERVIEWS WILL BE AVAILBLE FOR MEDIA.
WHEN: At 9:00 a.m on Thursday, May 10, 2018.
MEDIA MUST RSVP AND ARRIVE AT THE MAIN GATE OF CAMP ROBINSON MANEUVER TRAINING CENTER NO LATER THAN 8:15 a.m, THURSDAY, MAY 10, 2018 FOR AN ESCORT TO THE EVENT.
WHERE: The Arkansas National Guard Army Aviation Support Facility on Camp Robinson Maneuver Training Center in North Little Rock, Ark.
WHY: “Arkansans have always been quick to step up when our nation calls, and this time is no different,” said Governor Asa Hutchinson. “I informed Homeland Security last month that the Arkansas National Guard would provide border support if requested, which they have done.”
Arkansas Guardsmen will not perform law enforcement duties. Soldiers will use their skills and equipment to enhance surveillance and reconnaissance abilities and to provide increased detection and tracking capabilities to the lead agencies.
“The Arkansas National Guard is uniquely qualified to assist the Border Patrol in reconnaissance operations,” said Maj. Gen. Mark Berry, the Adjutant General for the Arkansas National Guard. “Our Soldiers and Airmen have been providing these same capabilities to combatant commanders and local law enforcement agencies for years.”
This is not the first time that Arkansas has participated in missions along our Nation’s southwest border. The Arkansas National Guard deployed troops between June 2006 and July 2008 in support of Operation Jump Start when we provided more than 750 Soldiers and Airmen in support of the Border Patrol.
“I am grateful to our Soldiers and Airmen for assisting in this operation and am confident they will represent Arkansas well, just as they have in times past," said Hutchinson.
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