Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced on Wednesday that he has authorized the deployment of 100 Tennessee National Guard troops to secure the U.S. Southern Border amid an ongoing national security and drug crisis.
The announcement follows a joint statement with fellow Republican governors and a border security briefing in Austin earlier this week, where Texas Governor Greg Abbott called for states to support ‘Operation Lone Star.’
“America continues to face an unprecedented border crisis that threatens our nation’s security and the safety of Tennesseans,” Gov. Lee said in the press release.
“The federal government owes Americans a plan to secure our country, and in the meantime, states continue to answer this important call to service.”
The 100 National Guard members will deploy at the end of May, where their duties will include patrolling, providing additional security presence along the border, assisting in road and route clearance, barrier placement, debris removal, and staffing outpost operations.
The Tennessee National Guard’s involvement in border security is not a new initiative.
As Gov. Lee pointed out, “In December 2021, I authorized 50 additional troops to respond to the surge in illegal crossings and drug-related activity along the U.S. Southern border.”
The governor also personally visited more than 300 Tennesseans stationed at the border in July 2021.
The National Guard troops, ready for the task at hand, have been commended for their dedication and willingness to provide support.
“The men and women of the Tennessee National Guard are always ready to serve their country anywhere, anytime,” said Brigadier General Warner Ross, Tennessee’s Adjutant General.
“These troops are a capable contingent that will continue our long-standing tradition of responding to the call to aid our fellow Americans.”
As part of ‘Operation Lone Star,’ the Tennessee National Guard, according to Gov. Lee, is once again “authorizing the Tennessee National Guard to help secure the Southern border” in an ongoing effort to curb illegal crossings and drug trafficking along the U.S. Southern border.
The initiative comes as the state aims to bolster its efforts in addressing these significant crises, underscoring the sentiment echoed by Brigadier General Ross that the Tennessee National Guard is “proud to serve and support our state partners in safeguarding the United States along the U.S. Southern border.”
