Gunmen Attack National Guard Border Patrol Site in Arizona

Fox News /AP ^ | Friday, January 05, 2007

[IrishMike]

TUCSON, Ariz. — 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 didn't 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 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 Bush said last spring he would have up to 6,000 National Guard troops deployed to assist the Border Patrol.

[AppyPappy]

They retreated fom our border???

[roses of sharon]

Where are Arizona's citizens and government on border issues?

Didn't they just dump Hayworth?

Obviously they could give a rats arse, just like CA and other border States.

If THOSE citizens don't have the numbers to rise up, then how can the rest of the nation?

[rabscuttle385]

It appears that they did...but hey, in the new North American superstate, there won't be a border to retreat from! </sarcasm>

[Long Island Pete]

The troops, who are not allowed to apprehend illegal border crossers...
Then why are they there? To give directions in?

[kittymyrib]

AZ deserves to be over-run. They voted for the Democrat open-borders crowd, so they don't have anything to whine about now.

[Vaquero]

fer crissake

SHOOT TO KILL!!!


(I know I know...there are homorable loyal American border Guards going to prison for killing armed perps right now and the POTUS is not doing anything about it)

What a country.

[johnny7]

Sends a clear message: Cross illegally and armed... and we'll run like rabbits.

[RSmithOpt]

Not only that, they hand out water and food too. Wonder why the NG isn't armed and allowed to at least return fire? Besides, isn't the NG in all states under state control and and extension of the governors' offices that have no problems shooting unarmed American looters during riots and after major storms?

[arthurus]

No. We can't pul away from the AZ/MEX border. The US/AZ border is much too long and too hard to watch.

[arthurus]

They are on the border as Facilitators, maybe.

[winodog]

You are correct. The new world order crew will not stand for Americans protecting their country, let alone their rights.

[angcat]

According to Glenn Beck, Phoenix is a terrorist haven just like Pakistan?

What the hell is going on there?

[SomeoneNeedsToSayIt]

Our guys are not even as well armed as Barney Fife. At least Andy let Barney carry one bullet on his front pocket!

[Constitution Day]

"forced to flee"?

That is simply blanking unacceptable!

[alicewonders]

The powers that be will get their way - regardless of what the people want. When our leaders refused to strengthen the border - that's when I lost faith in the GOP & President Bush. I was the biggest supporter ever, and now - they've lost me.

[Tigen]

I didn't vote for open borders nor for any of the open border crowd and yes we all need to stand on that border with weapon in hand and be willing to do what ever is necessary. Nuf said!? That said are you willing to drive on down to the border?

[RSmithOpt]

Well the gov and the prez need to change the ROE for the NG, otherwise we're going to have some dead soldiers.

[Dixie Yooper]

Isn't there a movie called Southern Comfort about a squad of unarmed National Guard that are hunted down in a swamp by locals?

[Delta 21]

Just a simple probing attack and retreat. Used by third world terrorists everywhere.

[sgtbono2002]

More than likely they were attacked by Mexican troops working for drug smugglers,but I doubt we will see the truth of this.

[cripplecreek]

It certainly sends a nice message to any potential invaders mexican or otherwise.

[oldbill]

The National Guard should not be on the border. They are impeding the flow of cheap labor that is necessary to keep the lawns of the elites' gated communities well manicured.

[albie]

I don't get it. Why were they sent in the 1st place? Smoke and mirrors I assume. Same as the 700 mile "wall". This is going beyond ridiculous and depressing!

[scout34]

Alicewonders,

I'm with you on that one. I'm active duty military, just got back from my second tour. It makes my blood boil when politics take precedence over common sense and good tactics.

If the GOP leadership did not see this turnover coming, at least in part because of their stance on illegal immigration, they are worse than just feckless. They are stupid, and that is not who I want in office.

[yankeedame]

The troops, who are not allowed to apprehend illegal border crossers, withdrew safely and no one was injured...

This time.

[NativeTxn]

I totally agree. I have not posted here in a long time but today I have to say this. I have supported President Bush for Governor. I stood in front of the Gov Mansion in 2000 for days and hours. My husband and I stayed at night until no one was there but a few reporters and us. Once Dick Cheney was leaving about midnight and he stopped and thanked us for being there but I can no longer support anyone or any party that will not stand up and support our borders. This Presidency and party have become a disaster and I can no longer hang in there. It makes me heart sick to even say this.

[houeto]

Now if THIS doesn't just make you sick!

[Jim Pelosi]

I spent some time on the border in New Mexico with my National Guard unit this past summer. We were issued an M16 and two 30 round magazines but were told by our chain of command to more or less forget about using any ammo. I won't go into detail for OPSEC reasons as we still have men working down there. Our primary resposibility was scouting for the border patrol agents and we did make a large impact on our area of operations as the rise in arrests from illegal crossings went up nearly 300% in the short time we were down there.
Jim

[stevie_d_64]

cough...Texas...cough...

[OBXWanderer]

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

I believe in military parlance, that would be retreat.

[Sir Francis Dashwood]

When our leaders refused to strengthen the border - that's when I lost faith in the GOP & President Bush.

This is a picture of the government's border policy...

[alicewonders]

I get it.

[Delta 21]

What would you have done if you were directly fired upon by an unknown armed force?

[scout34]

Ross Perot was right.

Hear that sound? That's us suckin'.

[stevie_d_64]

At least until they give the National Guard troops manning those stations bullets...

I wouldn't see it worth hanging around my post if someone was shooting at me, and I couldn't return fire...

If I did, it wouldn't be a very long fight...

[OBXWanderer]

I totally agree. I have not posted here in a long time but today I have to say this. I have supported President Bush for Governor. I stood in front of the Gov Mansion in 2000 for days and hours. My husband and I stayed at night until no one was there but a few reporters and us. Once Dick Cheney was leaving about midnight and he stopped and thanked us for being there but I can no longer support anyone or any party that will not stand up and support our borders. This Presidency and party have become a disaster and I can no longer hang in there. It makes me heart sick to even say this.

If someone in this country is going to IMPEACH someone, than let it be for malfeasance on our protection of the border, in particular, the southern border. Then let us see what the successor would do about this VERY EMBARRASSING situation.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

TUCSON, Ariz. — 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.

What kind of arms do these Guardsmen have? Shouldn't this have read:

National Guard troops at an observation post near the Mexico border were forced to machine-gun to death a group of armed people, whose pieces were later dumped in Mexico.

[AliVeritas]

The point is this was a dry run.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

(I know I know...there are homorable loyal American border Guards going to prison for killing armed perps right now and the POTUS is not doing anything about it)

Actually, they're going to jail for shooting some drug-running scum in the butt.

[roses of sharon]

It's quite unbelievable that so much anger and angst is wasted on a politicians when they simple reflect their PEOPLE.

For decades CA has been elected open border pols, and Arizona is no better.

Without massive pressure from the states citizens the Feds will do nothing.

[r9etb]

The troops, who are not allowed to apprehend illegal border crossers... Then why are they there? To give directions in?

I suspect that Posse Comitatus prevents them from apprehending the border crossers.

[Sybeck1]

Which state is this NG from? Could the governor of that state request live ammo, or his or her guys don't go?

[Mane in Virginia]

Were you not given any night vision equipment either?

"Balaban said the troops didn't know how many people were involved because it was so dark."

[Eastbound]

" . . . or some sort of a diversion," . . ."

. . . to insure safe passage for a 'package' that just absolutely, positively has to be delivered?

Yo, Mexico! Consider that the fallout may be something more than just political. Who knows which way the winds will blow?

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

What would you have done if you were directly fired upon by an unknown armed force?

Shoot them down, and then put a bullet through each head to make sure they were dead, provided the latter doesn't constitute excessive force, legally.

[VRWCmember]

Just doing the violent assaults that Americans won't do.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

PING!

The failed Bush border policy strikes again!

[mtbopfuyn]

Balaban said the troops didn't know how many people were involved because it was so dark.

Unarmed, no night vision, and no spot lights. See my tagline.