The National Guard has experienced a large activation of its aircraft, pilots and intelligence personnel in support of the Airborne ISR Surge in both Iraq and Afghanistan. At the same time, the Guard’s domestic airborne surveillance activities have expanded from routine duties, such as responding to hurricanes, to include surveillance activities such as helping to secure U.S. borders in the air in support of USNORTHCOM. The National Guard has operated with state funds under the command and control of the governor and Title 32 status where both funding sources provide authority to participate in law enforcement activities and under Title 10 with proper statutory authorization. Since 2006, the National Guard has supported DHS’s border security mission in the four southwest Border States (California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas) through three missions: Operation Jump Start, Operation Phalanx and Operation Javelina Thunder. Given the foreseeable future the National Guard will continue to assist the U.S. Border Patrol and USNORTHCOM in joint border aerial surveillance efforts.

These aircraft could be used to enhance current surveillance activities along the borders of the United States.

TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATION: NON-CONCUR. See NGB comments.

NGB RECOMMENDATION: No requirement. No recognized Army requirement.