State-run media lets us know that a National Guard Counterdrug program has been in place in all 50 states since the mid 1990s.
The program started as an effort to eradicate marijuana grows.
At 4:06 we learn that the US Dept. of Homeland Security made a request that the National Guard fill capability gaps in key areas of the US:
When the news is created by people in uniform, there’s no need to deal with any awkward/real questions from the press. It looks like newspeople aren’t showing up to ask questions, so we’ll ask a few here. Our questions will appear in bold type.
More news from people in uniform:
Wyoming National Guard partners with police in drug fight
“…the National Guard Bureau operates five counterdrug schools that provide training in drug interdiction and counter-drug activities. These schools trained more than 41,400 law enforcement officers, community-based organization members, and military personnel in the fiscal year 2017.”
“The Guard members are limited to analyzing evidence collected by law enforcement agencies, but once warrants and evidence are secured, the analysts provide a valuable service with the collected data.”
“Additionally, Smith said the Guard’s UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters and crews may be called upon to support law enforcement from the air. When President Ronald Reagan started the program, military aircraft were often used to eradicate crops of marijuana.”
Feb. 25, 2019 The News Journal
Delaware National Guard has behind-the-scenes role in fight against drugs
“…11 full-time airmen and soldiers are embedded in various law enforcement agencies around the state, including the DEA, Customs and the Delaware State Police.”
February 22, 2019 WHYY
Delaware National Guard steps in to help fight drug trafficking, addiction
“A drunken driver steps out of his vehicle after being pulled over. He says he has a weapon, reaches in his pocket and pretends to pull out a gun.”
What does this scenario have to do with drug control policy or the National Guard?
We were told earlier that the National Guard role is limited to analyzing evidence and air support?
“In 2017, 345 people died of overdoses in Delaware. The health department expects last year’s number, which has not yet been finalized, to surpass that due to the increase in drugs laced with the potent synthetic drug fentanyl.”
Another state-run media update:
Prescription Drug Take Back:
0:28 “…collected more than 9,600 pounds of prescription medications…”
A huge success for the legal drug dealers- they sold more than 9,600 pounds of prescription medications to people who did not need them.
Have National Guard counterdrug efforts resulted in any shortage of cartel-sourced heroin, cocaine, meth or fentanyl anywhere in the US?
What does the US Dept. of Homeland Security do with the $40.6 billion they get every 12 months?
Don’t worry-
The Super Bowl and public affairs will be safe:
Welcome Home Troops
Montana – Homeland Security Meth Racket Rolls On
Port Angeles Heroin – Newspeople Remain Silent
Wars In Iraq & Afghanistan:
Army National Guard trains Iraqi engineers
The people of Iowa needed services in Iraq:
“He requested support from the 248th Aviation Support Battalion, Iowa Army National Guard, who had similar equipment.”
The people of Missouri needed services in Iraq:
“As the 248th ASB’s deployment was ending, the partnership passed onto the 935th Aviation Support Battalion, 35th Combat Aviation Brigade, Missouri Army National Guard.”
The people of Illinois needed services in Iraq:
“To me at least, it felt like it was something that has a lasting effect here,” said Illinois Army National Guard Staff Sgt. David Johnson, B. Company powertrain shop chief.
Feb 25th, 2019 Fox News
Father, son deployed to Afghanistan with Arizona Army National Guard
Any members of the press available to show up and ask why the people of Arizona need services in Afghanistan absent any military emergency, national emergency, draft, or declaration of war?
Whatever happened to the formal congressional declaration of war?
This would be the time to hear from elected leaders and top generals on all the issues that have doomed the Department of Defense track record for winning wars since DOD was established in 1949.
Feb. 25, 2019 The Wall Street Journal
More here: National Guard in Afghanistan
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Photo- On watch at Fort Ebey
