EAGLE PASS, TX - In a Friday press conference, Texas' Republican Governor Greg Abbott made it clear that the Texas National Guard presence in Eagle Pass, where tensions between the state and Federal governments came to a head in late 2023, is about to become permanent. Abbott announced that an 80-acre Forward Operating Base for the Texas Military Department designed to house up to 1,800 Texas National Guardsmen will be constructed just outside the city.
According to reporting from CNN, Abbot said at the press conference that the new base would "dramatically improve conditions" for the Texas military personnel assigned to the area. He said that the base has been designed to be expandable to house up to 2,300 personnel.
In a statement released by the Governor's office, Abbott said, "Texas is expanding our border security capabilities by building a new Texas Military Department base camp to increase and improve border security operations in this area. This will increase the ability for a larger number of Texas Military Department soldiers in Eagle Pass to operate more effectively and efficiently.
"Before now, the Texas National Guard had been scattered across this entire region in cramped quarters, away from fellow soldiers, and sometimes traveling long distances to do their job. This base camp is going to dramatically improve conditions for our soldiers. Texas would not be able to respond to President Biden's border crisis without the brave men and women of the Texas National Guard, and it is essential to build this base camp for them."
The Adjutant General of Texas Major General Thomas Suelzer emphasized the increase in readiness that the new military base located near Eagle Pass will allow. "In addition to being able to house 1,800 troops in their own individual rooms, Forward Operating Base Eagle will also have surge capability of taking on 500 additional troops should we need to deploy the Texas Tactical Border Force to this area."
He added that the Texas Military Department will be expanding its operations in the areas to the north and south of Eagle Pass in the next few weeks, "putting up additional barriers to fortify our border."
The expansion of operations also includes naval and aerial operations he said, adding, "We are also adding three more fan boats and expanding our drone program radar truck capabilities. Under Governor Abbott's leadership, we are deploying every available resource and strategy to protect and defend Texas."
The new facility is set to include a 700-capacity dining hall, recreation facilities, laundry, and individual quarters for personnel starting at 118 sq. ft. as well as chaplaincy programs, medical and psychological health facilities.
According to reporting from CNN, Abbot said at the press conference that the new base would "dramatically improve conditions" for the Texas military personnel assigned to the area. He said that the base has been designed to be expandable to house up to 2,300 personnel.
In a statement released by the Governor's office, Abbott said, "Texas is expanding our border security capabilities by building a new Texas Military Department base camp to increase and improve border security operations in this area. This will increase the ability for a larger number of Texas Military Department soldiers in Eagle Pass to operate more effectively and efficiently.
"Before now, the Texas National Guard had been scattered across this entire region in cramped quarters, away from fellow soldiers, and sometimes traveling long distances to do their job. This base camp is going to dramatically improve conditions for our soldiers. Texas would not be able to respond to President Biden's border crisis without the brave men and women of the Texas National Guard, and it is essential to build this base camp for them."
The Adjutant General of Texas Major General Thomas Suelzer emphasized the increase in readiness that the new military base located near Eagle Pass will allow. "In addition to being able to house 1,800 troops in their own individual rooms, Forward Operating Base Eagle will also have surge capability of taking on 500 additional troops should we need to deploy the Texas Tactical Border Force to this area."
He added that the Texas Military Department will be expanding its operations in the areas to the north and south of Eagle Pass in the next few weeks, "putting up additional barriers to fortify our border."
The expansion of operations also includes naval and aerial operations he said, adding, "We are also adding three more fan boats and expanding our drone program radar truck capabilities. Under Governor Abbott's leadership, we are deploying every available resource and strategy to protect and defend Texas."
The new facility is set to include a 700-capacity dining hall, recreation facilities, laundry, and individual quarters for personnel starting at 118 sq. ft. as well as chaplaincy programs, medical and psychological health facilities.
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