National Guard forced to flee gunmen on border

[WifeOHunkyJohn 2]

Gunmen force National Guard troops to flee observation post near Mexico border

TUCSON, Arizona: National Guard troops at an observation post near the Mexico border were forced to flee a group of armed people, who later ran into Mexico, authorities said.

The troops, who are not allowed to apprehend illegal border crossers, withdrew safely and no one was injured, said National Guard Sgt. Edward Balaban.

U.S. Border Patrol officials are investigating the 11 p.m. Wednesday incident and trying to determine who the armed people were and why they approached the post near Sasabe, in the desert corridor between Nogales and Lukeville. Balaban said the troops did not know how many people were involved because it was so dark.

That area has been the busiest in the Tucson Sector for marijuana seizures. Agents have seized 124,000 pounds (55,800 kilograms) of marijuana there since Oct. 1, said Rob Daniels, spokesman for the Border Patrol's Tucson Sector.

"We don't know if this was a matter of somebody coming up accidentally on the individuals, coming up intentionally on the individuals, or some sort of a diversion," Daniels said.

With more Border Patrol agents and National Guard troops patrolling the Arizona section of the U.S.-Mexico border, it has become more difficult to smuggle drugs and people across and "that heightened frustration may have been connected to what took place last night," Daniels said.

Balaban said officials would investigate and then determine whether to change any procedures for troops at the border.

Since arriving in mid-June, the Guard has assisted the Border Patrol by manning control rooms, repairing roads, fences and vehicles, and spotting and reporting illegal border crossings to the Border Patrol. President George W. Bush said last spring he would have up to 6,000 National Guard troops deployed to assist the Border Patrol.

Further sources:

KVOA.Com: Minutemen say Guard 'handcuffed' by current rules of engagement

FoxNews: Gunmen Attack National Guard Border Patrol Site in Arizona

[note the National Guard site was not 'attacked', their outpost was approached by the gunmen]

Digital Journal: National Guard Overrun at US-Mexico Border

Seattle Post: Gunmen force troops off border watch

[peejay 327]

I have read this story from various sources. This isn't the first or last incident documented of illegal incursions of armed gangs or corrupt Mexican troops into US territory. It has been documented in Texas too. American troops should not be fleeing armed incursions into US territory. I wouldn't advocate a "shoot on sight" policy...but Federal troops sure as hell should not be fleeing armed incursions into our country. Is Bush that lame and corrupt? Lest anyone forget...he is Commander and Chief and is sworn to protect America from foreign invasion. It is about time he does the job the American people hired him to do or he should be impeached and replaced with someone that takes their Constitutional duties seriously.

It is wishful thinking...but maybe the new Democratic Congress will at least remind him of his Constitutional duties. But they are just as lame as he is.

Edited January 8, 2007 by peejay

[isleta521 5]

I have read this story from various sources. This isn't the first or last incident documented of illegal incursions of armed gangs or corrupt Mexican troops into US territory. It has been documented in Texas too. American troops should not be fleeing armed incursions into US territory. I wouldn't advocate a "shoot on sight" policy...but Federal troops sure as hell should not be fleeing armed incursions into our country. Is Bush that lame and corrupt? Lest anyone forget...he is Commander and Chief and is sworn to protect America from foreign invasion. It is about time he does the job the American people hired him to do or he should be impeached and replaced with someone that takes their Constitutional duties seriously.

It is wishful thinking...but maybe the new Democratic Congress will at least remind him of his Constitutional duties. But they are just as lame as he is.

#######, Running away?

My thoughts exactly!

[Ban Hammer 14,418]

I have read this story from various sources. This isn't the first or last incident documented of illegal incursions of armed gangs or corrupt Mexican troops into US territory. It has been documented in Texas too. American troops should not be fleeing armed incursions into US territory. I wouldn't advocate a "shoot on sight" policy...but Federal troops sure as hell should not be fleeing armed incursions into our country. Is Bush that lame and corrupt? Lest anyone forget...he is Commander and Chief and is sworn to protect America from foreign invasion. It is about time he does the job the American people hired him to do or he should be impeached and replaced with someone that takes their Constitutional duties seriously.

It is wishful thinking...but maybe the new Democratic Congress will at least remind him of his Constitutional duties. But they are just as lame as he is.

#######, Running away?

My thoughts exactly!

they didn't run away, they advanced to the rear

[Hornet 2]

NO!! our border isn't 'out of control' yeah right!