Florida resources and personnel continue to aid Texas southern border

DEL RIO, Texas (FLV) – Florida resources have landed in Texas to help secure the southern border, according to Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Texas requested help through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact because of the “national security threat posed by the federal government’s failure to secure the international border with Mexico.”

DeSantis made a similar decision in 2021 to help at the southern border.

Currently, the Florida National Guard is helping the Texas Military Department with roving patrols and static observation points. The office said 436 people completed initial orientation, which included training on the use of force and narcotic overdose machine.

There were 40 Florida Department of Law Enforcement members sworn in to enforce Texas laws at the border. The governor’s office said they are helping investigate criminal activity at the border.

So far, the Florida personnel has helped the Texas Department of Public Safety with 32 arrests, including several gang members.

More than 100 Florida Highway Patrol Troopers were deployed to Texas. With them included two fixed-wing aircrafts to monitor and patrol the border.

The governor’s office said two mobile command vehicles are helping facilitate real-time operational command, enabling dispatch capabilities and offering downlink options for aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles.

Twenty Florida Fish and Wildlife officers and two mechanics were sent to Texas along with ten shallow draft vessels to help navigate the river.