LTC DARRELL DARNBUSH 

"PHOENIX 6"

Commander

Old Bill's Chips

NATIONAL GUARD GOES BACK TO THE FUTURE

In order to secure the U.S. – Mexico border, the President of the United States authorized the National Guard for duty along the Mexican border. However, the year was 1916. That’s right; President Woodrow Wilson sent most of the National Guard to the Mexican border under federal orders to repel any invasion by Pancho Villa and his bandits. Also, to deter a possible attack by the Mexican Army in retaliation for an “accidental” attack by U.S. forces on the Mexican Army in Mexico. The National Guard’s deployment freed General John Pershing to lead a “punitive” expeditionary force composed of Army regulars into Mexico. General Pershing’s force size was approximately 4,800 soldiers. This force of Army “regulars” pursued Pancho Villa in Mexico for over eight months.

Elements from the Tennessee National Guard included the First Tennessee Infantry headquartered in Nashville and the Third Tennessee Infantry headquartered in Knoxville. Both Regiments received personnel replacements and equipment as well as trained at their mobilization camp in Nashville. In September 1916 the First Tennessee Infantry left for Eagle Pass, TX and Third Tennessee Infantry went to Pharr, TX. For the duration of their mobilization National Guard formations rotated through observation posts, provided area security and trained on their war time tasks. The opportunity training on war time tasks proved essential since the National Guard would later be mobilized in support of World War I.

Ninety years later, in May 2006, President Bush initiated Operation Jump Start which authorized the use of 6,000 National Guard soldiers along the Southwest Border. This time the National Guard is not federalized. Through an agreement between Governors of providing States and receiving States, soldiers will be under the command and control of the Governors and Adjutants General of the receiving States. At any given time the 6,000 National Guard soldiers account for less than 2 percent of the total National Guard force.

National Guard units assist Customs and Border Protection by executing logistical and administrative support, operating detection systems, providing mobile communications, augmenting border related intelligence analysis efforts, building and installing border security infrastructures, providing transportation and conducting training. Guardsmen are armed for personal protection but they do not engage traffic coming across the border. All apprehensions and detention operations is conducted by the Border Patrol. Similar how the First and Third Tennessee Infantry’s presence along the border in 1916 freed up the regular Army to conduct offensive operations, today National Guard units perform supporting tasks that enables the Border Patrol to move over 500 uniformed Border Patrol agents to spend more time in the field performing their primary mission of patrolling the border.

Operation Jump Start provides immediate assistance to the Department of Homeland Security to protect our southern border, it also “buys time” while the Border Patrol hires and trains additional agents. It takes at least 9,000 potential agents to enter the academy to get 6,000 to complete the complex training process. It is about a year long procedure for new Border Agents to become deployable. As the number of agents available for duty increases, the number of National Guard soldiers will decrease.

In June 2007 the Regimental Troops Squadron, 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment headquartered in Lebanon, TN will assist the Border Patrol for three weeks as part of their Annual Training. In addition to the Headquarters and Headquarters Troop in Lebanon, the composition of the force includes Co H from Nashville and Co I from Knoxville. From January to June the Troop Squadron trains on a multitude of tasks to prepare for this mission. Some common training areas include; individual weapons qualification, first aid, rules of engagement, individual soldier readiness, establish observation post and establish a command post.

Regimental Troops Squadron primary mission is to provide static and visible Entry Identification Teams (EIT) at designated sites determined by the Border Patrol. The Squadron is there to cover areas not protected by fencing, physical barriers and advance detection equipment. They provide extra eyes and ears for the Border Patrol, helping to deter illegal crossings and to detect and direct Border Patrol agents to illegal aliens. The additional force provided by the Squadron enhances the security of our nation by restricting border crossings and severely impacting criminal activity. In addition, the Regimental Troop Squadron will train on Global War on Terrorism individual warrior tasks.

Since Operation Jump Start began, illegal traffic across the border and arrests has dropped 60 percent. Also, the number of other-than-Mexican alien apprehensions dropped 58 percent. This decrease reduces the time agents spend transporting and processing which increases their time spent patrolling the border. Border Patrol agents have seized over 125 tons of primarily marijuana and cocaine this year. That equates to over $470 million dollars worth of drugs off the streets in America.

The 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment has more in common with the First and Third Tennessee Infantry Regiments than securing our nation’s Southwest Border. In 1916 the Regiments were part of the New York National Guard Division. Later in 1917 the 42d Infantry Division was organized for WW I with many of the same soldiers from the New York National Guard Division. In 2005 the 278th ACR was part of the 42d Infantry Division in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Also, in 1917 the old Third Infantry from Knoxville was redesignated 117th Infantry as part of the 30th Division which was being formed by North and South Carolina National Guard. The 278th ACR is a direct descendant of the 3rd Tennessee Infantry and the 117th Infantry. The 278th ACR headquarters remains in Knoxville. As the National Guard reorganized over the years the 30th Division was deactivated. North Carolina activated the 30th Brigade Combat Team with history and lineage to the 30th Division. In 2004 the 278th ACR replaced the 30th Brigade Combat Team, North Carolina National Guard in Iraq.

In 2007 the Regimental Troop Squadron will make their place in Tennessee National Guard history just as their National Guard forefathers did in 1916.

LTC Darrell Darnbush

Commander