Utah National Guard troops from the 116th Construction Equipment Support Company prepare to extend a wall along the U.S. border in San Luis, Ariz. on Monday as part of Operation Jump Start. (AP)
Posted on 06/06/2006 10:04:47 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
SAN LUIS, Ariz. -- Military bulldozers, road graders and other heavy equipment rumbled along the Mexican border early Monday as more than 50 National Guardsmen from Utah became the first unit to get to work under President Bush's crackdown on illegal immigration.
The soldiers with the 116th Construction Support Equipment Company will hit their work sites by 5:30 a.m. during their two weeks of duty. They will improve a dirt road running parallel to the border, fill in gaps in fortified fencing and run wiring for new lighting to help the Border Patrol spot illegal crossers.
"It's exciting to do something that's relevant to the safety of the United States," said Capt. Talon Greeff, the unit's commander. "There is a sense of excitement when you are doing something real-world."
The goal is to strengthen the border and free up border agents to catch illegal immigrants.
The guardsmen are unarmed and wearing hardhats instead of Kevlar helmets -- "we do not want to appear as if we're militarizing the border," Greeff said. They will not perform any law enforcement duties.
The troops arrived in Yuma on Saturday and were briefed Sunday on their mission and given tips on how to survive the triple-digit heat of the Arizona desert.
Under Bush's plan, up to 6,000 National Guardsmen will be sent to the four southern border states. Officials say 300 Guardsmen from Arizona are expected to begin arriving at the state's border in mid-June.
The Utah unit is working in San Luis, 25 miles south of Yuma, home of the nation's busiest Border Patrol station. Two sets of barriers run along the border: a 12-foot corrugated-metal fence and, about 50 yards to the north, an 8-foot chain-link fence topped with barbed wire. Surveillance cameras are mounted on towers, and stadium lights help agents spot people trying to slip across at night.
Most of the 11 soldiers assigned to operate the heavy equipment have full-time jobs in the construction business in Utah. They would normally be pulling two weeks of training duty at this time of year.
Now, they are working to widen the dusty dirt track used by the Border Patrol, compact it and top it with gravel so agents can get to hot spots faster.
"They all feel pretty privileged to be out here as part of the first group," said Sgt. 1st Class James Colledge, a 52-year-old truck driver from West Valley, Utah.
In San Luis, some residents were pleased with the guard's presence.
Raymond Ruiz, a clerk at Charles and Frank Auto Parts, said the response was long overdue.
"I think we need it because besides illegal people coming across, I know there's drugs and you never know, maybe some terrorists one of these days," Ruiz said.
Others were leery, worried that legal border crossers would stop shopping.
Alex Furniture employee Israel Escobar said the Guard's presence "scares the people. No one wants to buy in the U.S."
But his co-worker, Israel Torres, disagreed.
"It's OK. It's right, because it means more security in the houses," Torres said. "I live next to the border, and I'm afraid."
Utah National Guard troops from the 116th Construction Equipment Support Company prepare to extend a wall along the U.S. border in San Luis, Ariz. on Monday as part of Operation Jump Start. (AP)
This is good news, but how much fence are they building?
Hmm... Too bad Tesla isn't around. I just had an idea of how one might use his research to build a row of lightning rods along the border, 40 feet high, 6 inches apart, thick at the bottom, tapering to a point at the top. Thick steel and concrete posts that a driven 10 feet into the ground, for a total length of 50 feet.
But I bet if Tesla were around, he'd figure out a way to bring down the lightning randomly enough to be safe, but dangerous enough for people to be wary.
All they need is some grazing fire...
I wish they wouldn't build the walls solid unless they build them "Israel" high. I believe that studies show that a solid but fairly low wall actually screens the crossers until they are ready to go over. I think that multiple chain link & barbwire is the most effective if you are going to do it lower.
ping
drip...drip...drip...
looks like we're gonna have to wait 'til '08 to elect a POTUS to "get 'er dun!"
Well, that's a relief. We wouldn't want any illegals turning their ankle from a pot hole while sneaking across the road.
Dig moat. Add gators. Meet whatever makes it to the other side with armed NG.
Now that wall looks like the `real deal'! The `frost-line' must be close to grade, so I suppose the footings are to prevent ramming by our `friends to the south' to try and topple it.
Nice and high, with sensors. Looking good, Utah Nat'l Guard.
... the first unit to get to work under President Bush's crackdown on illegal immigration.His what?
Oh, I forgot... this is the AP reporting.
By then...we ought to have a reasonably proper border.
Great Start Guys!
That looks very familiar. Was that shot taken at Badaling?
That's why they are used.
No good. The chain links are easily cut with a bolt-cutter.
However one goes about attracting lightning... A Southern border protected by bolts of lightning from the Heavens would be very impressive. :-)
You see the slight curve to the left rising up after the flatter portion that is about mid-pic?
If it's taken on the GW where I think it was, one's butt almost bumps the floor on the decent from the top at that place. My youngest daughter and I climbed to that lookout summit at the exact place.
The Chinese mounted a handrail on the parapet to help climbers. Trouble is - they are about mid-shin high and work well only if you drag yourself up.
Wouldn't want to offend the Mexicans, right? After all, they may be your next-door neighbors in the not-so-distant future!
It's our border. We can "militarize" it if we want.
The problem is that our current political class lacks the will.
Your lucky to have found any wall at all to walk on. I have friends that visit in China and the wall stones are stolen by the hour for their local homes still because communism is THAT popular.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.