FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, September 6, 2023
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MEDIA ADVISORY: Gov. Justice to speak with West Virginia National Guard troops as they return home from Operation Lone Star tomorrow at 10 a.m.
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The media is invited to attend a return event for West Virginia National Guard troops hosted by West Virginia National Guard Adjutant General Maj. Gen. William “Bill” Crane and West Virginia Governor Jim Justice, as they return home from their mission to support Operation Lone Star in Texas, August 1 to August 30, 2023.
WHAT: Return event for West Virginia National Guard service members as they return home from Texas, where they assisted the Texas Military Department with their ongoing border support mission, Operation Lone Star.
Media is invited to the event and will have an opportunity to interview Soldiers who have volunteered for the mission. The event is NOT open to the public.
All West Virginians may watch the live stream of this event at the following links:
YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/e-QeX6FmMEY?feature=share
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/WVGovernor
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wvgovernor
WHO: West Virginia Governor Jim Justice, Maj. Gen. Bill Crane, and service members.
WHEN: Thursday, September 7, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. EDT. Media will be escorted into the area NO Earlier than 9:50 a.m.
WHERE: West Virginia National Guard
Joint Forces Headquarters
1703 Coonskin Drive; Charleston, WV 25311
MANDATORY RSVP: Media must RSVP with name(s) of reporter(s) and camera operator(s) for access. All media representatives should arrive at the front gate of the base no later than 9:30 a.m. EDT prior to the event for verification of credentials and gate access. All representatives will be escorted to a designated parking area for media at Joint Force Headquarters. Media will not be allowed access to the event prior to 9:50 a.m. EDT.
To RSVP, please contact Mr. Edwin L. Wriston, Public Affairs Specialist, with required data at [email protected] or via cell phone at (304) 629-3735. All RSVPs must be received no later than 8:00 a.m., Thursday, September 7, 2023, for access. No exceptions.
BACKGROUND: Texas Governor Greg Abbott launched Operation Lone Star in March 2021 to respond to a rise in illegal immigration. In May of 2023, Governor Abbott issued a disaster declaration that now covers 48 counties along or near the U.S./Mexico border. The declaration directed the Department of Public Safety to “use available resources to enforce all applicable federal and state laws to prevent the criminal activity along the border, including criminal trespassing, smuggling, and human trafficking, and to assist Texas counties in their efforts to address those criminal activities.” On May 16, 2023, Gov. Abbott sent a request letter to fellow governors across the United States requesting support in responding to the ongoing border crisis through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, which enables states to provide assistance and share resources with another state in response to a disaster or emergency.
On May 31, 2023, Gov. Justice announced that he had approved up to 50 West Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen to deploy to Texas for up to 30 days to support Operation Lone Star as a part of the EMAC request from Texas.
"In response to a letter requesting aid from Texas Governor Greg Abbott, I have approved the deployment of members of the WVNG to help secure our border, reduce the flood of fentanyl, and combat the human trafficking crisis," Gov. Justice said in the announcement. "Several governors are doing this because the situation on our Southern Border is terrible, and I want to make sure we're doing our part. So, I'm very proud to support our friends to the south. I know our National Guard will do incredible work, and we'll wish them Godspeed to get home safe and sound. I thank them all for their incredible bravery and for stepping up yet again to answer the call."
The WVNG members will work alongside the Texas National Guard and Texas law enforcement partners to detect, deter, and interdict transnational criminal activity between points of entry.
The Soldiers and Airmen are all volunteers. No units were mobilized for this support.
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This event will be live streamed. You can view the live stream by navigating to the Governor's Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube pages. You can also view a live stream by visiting the Governor's Office website and scrolling down to the "News and Media" section of the home page.
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