With high numbers of immigrants illegally entering the United States, West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice decided to send assistance. Earlier today, Gov. Justice announced that he had approved up to 50 West Virginia National Guard (WVNG) Soldiers and Airmen to deploy to Texas for up to 30 days to support Operation Lone Star (OLS) as a part of an Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) from Texas.
“In response to a letter requesting aid from Texas Governor Greg Abbott, I have approved the deployment of members of the West Virginia National Guard to help secure our border, reduce the flood of fentanyl, and combat the human trafficking crisis,” Justice said. “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. In coordination with the Texas National Guard, the WVNG will send the personnel in August and they will fall under operational control of the Texas National Guard Joint Task Force for OLS.
According to Gov. Justice. the Soldiers and Airmen are all volunteers. No units are being mobilized for this support.
Since 2004, O’Hern has worked with political campaigns in roles ranging from major projects involving nationwide digital marketing for U.S. Presidential candidates, U.S. Congressmen, state governors, and state representatives. O’Hern’s journalism background includes news reporting and editing for various organizations and news publications in Alabama and Florida since 2002. O’Hern graduated from Samford University in Birmingham, Ala with a degree in journalism and a minor in political science.