Rep. Henry Cuellar Questions Pentagon on Apache Helicopter Fleet and Border Security

Apache Helicopter Fleet Modernization

• 🚁 Rep. Henry Cuellar inquired about the Army's plan to ensure the National Guard maintains a full fleet of current Apache helicopters.
• 💡 He specifically asked about the plan to sustain and upgrade the fleet, noting that Texas currently flies the D model Apaches, which are slated for divestment.
• ⚡ The Pentagon official confirmed that two of the four Apache battalions have been transformed to echo models, a third is in transformation, and Texas will transform in the future.

Border Security and National Guard Support

• 🇺🇸 Cuellar, representing a border district, discussed the National Guard's long-standing role in border security, assisting CBP with detection, monitoring, logistics, and transportation.
• 📉 He noted that with decreased border crossing numbers, the strain on Border Patrol has lessened.
• 🏞️ Cuellar suggested practical improvements for border patrol, including the development of more river roads and the eradication of invasive kiso cane to improve visibility and patrol effectiveness.
• ⚠️ A significant concern raised was that two-thirds of Border Patrol's cameras are currently non-operational.
• 🤝 The Pentagon official assured that Cuellar's comments on border security would be passed to General Guio, the combatant commander, and acknowledged the ongoing support of approximately 4,400 guardsmen for Operation Lone Star in Texas.