National Guard personnel assigned to the Ajo Border Patrol Station’s area of responsibility as part of Operation Guardian Support, provided vehicle mechanics to complete an inspection of the station’s vehicle fleet this week.
During the inspections, National Guard mechanics identified and repaired more than 80 vehicles with suspension issues that could have led to significant safety hazards for agents patrolling in isolated areas of Arizona’s Sonoran Desert.
Ajo Station Fleet Garage Supervisor Rick Barton said there were mechanical faults with the vehicles’ suspension kits that could have resulted in agents being stranded in isolated areas.
“Logistically speaking,” Barton said, “an issue like this could have caused a major nightmare for our garage staff. But with National Guard members helping, it didn’t affect our fleet readiness. National Guard personnel helped us complete the inspections and repairs within two days. Without the Guard, it would have taken weeks to resolve the problems.”