U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) met with New Mexico National Guard officials in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on Saturday to discuss increasing resources for counter drug efforts along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Additional talks included efforts to enable the New Mexico National Guard to become the first Air National Guard unit in the country to fly and train in the CV-22 Osprey.
“The New Mexico National Guard plays a vital role in keeping our nation safe at home and abroad. With New Mexico sharing a 179-mile border with Mexico, it’s critical we provide our guardsmen with more personnel and resources to stop drugs from ever entering our country,” Heinrich said. “The Tacos also have a very successful mission training with the 58th Special Operations Wing at Kirtland and are uniquely capable of helping with emergency response when disasters strike. As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I will continue to work to strengthen our National Guard and ensure our state maintains its role in keeping our nation safe and secure.”
Heinrich is a sponsor of S.B. 2877, a bill that would provide funding for the National Guard Counter Drug Program to mitigate gaps or delays in drug interdiction and activities.