National Guard at border cut to about 300
Web Producer: Ina Ronquillo
WASHINGTON (AP) - The contingent of National Guard troops working at the Mexican border will be cut from 1,200 to about 300 in the coming year.
Members of Congress were briefed on the reduced troop deployment Tuesday.
Homeland Security and Defense Department officials say the remaining troops will focus on aerial surveillance missions using helicopters and airplanes.
There are currently 1,200 National Guard troops working at the border in California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. The force will be reduced by the end of March and the remaining troops will be in place until the end of 2012.
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