Governor Greg Abbott recently announced that Texas is building an 80-acre forward operating base for Texas National Guard troops who are “responding to President Joe Biden’s border crisis.”
In a press release, Abbott explained that the state’s 80-acre forward operating base in Eagle Pass, Texas, will expand the state’s “border security capabilities” as it continues to address the unprecedented level of illegal immigration under the Biden administration.
“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,” Abbott stated. “This will increase the ability for a larger number of Texas Military Department soldiers in Eagle Pass to operate more effectively and efficiently.”
During a press conference, the governor announced the new base would house 1,800 Texas National Guard troops and would be able to accommodate 500 additional troops if the Texas Tactical Border Force was deployed, according to The Texas Tribune.
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Abbot explained that without a forward operating base, Texas National Guard troops have been “scattered across” the Eagle Pass region in “cramped quarters” and have often been forced to travel long distances as they guard the southern border. He added that the new base will “dramatically improve” the living conditions of Texas National Guardsmen.
“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,” Abbot said.
The new base will provide Texas National Guard troops with individual rooms, a 700-seat dining facility, laundry facilities, a recreational center, WiFi connection, medical and psychological health facilities, and chaplain programs.
According to The Texas Tribune, Abbott deployed the National Guard and state troopers to the southern border in 2021 under Operation Lone Star. Approximately 3,000 Texas soldiers are believed to be currently deployed at the border in an effort to prevent illegal immigrants from continuing to enter the United States under the Biden administration’s open border policies.
