WASHINGTON, Oct. 13 (UPI) -- The U.S. Air National Guard is operating voluntary deployments on the U.S.-Mexican border as part of Operation Jump Start.
The voluntary tours of duty by ANG members support operations by the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, the National Guard Bureau news service reported Oct. 10.
The report said that Air National Guard members were volunteering for the program for a number of reasons, including gaining service experience or simply for a new adventure.
Air National Guard members were already participating in Operation Jump Start supporting the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, or CBP, as part of President George W. Bush's national security initiative designed to strengthen the Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and California borders, the report said.
Air National Guard members interested in participating in Operation Jump Start -- for either short- or long-term OJS tours -- can obtain the relevant information from Air National Guard logistics and readiness offices, the report said.
There are at present approximately 6,000 National Guard members on the Mexican borders of Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and California supporting OJS. Under the present policy, Air National Guard personnel do not participate in any direct law enforcement activities such as apprehending illegal aliens or criminals.
