Del Rio Sector Reporting for Duty!

Operation Jump Start
By Karen Gleason
Del Rio News-Herald

Published June 24, 2006

The troops have arrived.

On Tuesday (June 20) the first contingent of Texas National Guard troops assigned to the Del Rio Border Patrol Sector arrived for the beginning of Operation Jump Start.

“You are truly part of an historic national security effort designed to strengthen our nation’s borders,” said Del Rio Sector Chief Patrol Agent Randy R. Hill in welcoming the Guardsmen during their orientation Tuesday.
“Your work will allow us to increase deterrence and strengthen border security capabilities while we train additional Border Patrol agents.”

According to a Border Patrol news release announcing Operation Jump Start, “the assignment of the Texas National Guard troops to the Del Rio Sector is part of a program announced by President Bush in May.”

“Operation Jump Start is an immediate, short-term national security effort designed to strengthen border security,” the news release adds.

The Texas National Guard troops stationed in Del Rio will assist the Border Patrol agents here in support activities such as intelligence analysis, operation of the agency’s firing range, automotive mechanics and infrastructure maintenance, according to Supervisory Border Patrol Agent Hilario Leal Jr., of the Del Rio Sector’s public affairs staff.

Leal said the Guardsmen, all of whom volunteered for the border security detail, will serve throughout the Del Rio Sector’s area of operations, which includes just over 200 miles of the Texas-Mexico border.

Leal said the Department of Defense has asked that the exact number of Guardsmen posted in the Del Rio Sector not be released.

He said the troops here are part of the more than 800 National Guardsmen in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California.

Leal also said Friday that the Texas National Guard troops will be assigned to the Del Rio Sector for at least a year, but will rotate out as new Border Patrol agents, also promised by Bush, arrive here for duty.

“We are glad to be here to support such a professional agency,” said Lt. Col. Jose Figueroa, commander of the Del Rio Sector National Guard Task Force.

“The support we are getting from the Del Rio Sector agents is excellent. The welcome we have received from the local community has been wonderful and we look forward to our time in the area.”

Leal added, “The partnership between the National Guard and the Border Patrol has a long history, and one of the next chapters in that history will be written here.”

Writer’s note: A news release from the Del Rio Border Patrol Sector public affairs office was used in the preparation of this story.