Arizona National Guard supporting fire crews on Wallow Fire, standing by to aid with trucks in Show Low

Governor Jan Brewer Announces Arizona National Guard Providing Support for Wildfire, Border-Related Issues

        PHOENIX – Governor Jan Brewer today announced, per the issuance of the Emergency declaration and guidance, the Arizona National Guard has taken all necessary action to support fire crews in their efforts to contain the wildfires raging in Arizona.

        “The Arizona National Guard has the resources in place and remains ready to deploy additional troops at a moment’s notice should law enforcement and emergency personnel request assistance,” said Governor Brewer. “I’d like to thank the Adjutant General, Major General Hugo Salazar, for taking the necessary steps needed to prepare his troops for this emergency.”

        The Arizona National Guard is currently supporting fire crews with three National Guard fuel tanker trucks and associated personnel. In addition, it is staging 55 National Guard personnel equipped with 20 palletized load system trucks from the 1404th Transportation Company in the Show Low armory. These personnel will be strategically positioned to provide prompt response for any logistical and transportation support requests, and will be in place late Thursday afternoon.

Although the Guard has not received requests for security support at this time, it has two 40-person platoons of Military Police ready to respond within 24 hours. It will coordinate with the Apache County Sheriff's office as necessary to anticipate any requests to provide assistance to the sheriff.

In addition to fire-related support in Arizona, the Arizona National Guard also has more than 322 soldiers and airmen serving in Operation Copper Cactus, the federal Southwest border mission. The Guard also has 130 members serving in the Guard’s Joint Counter Narco-Terrorism Task Force.