Arizona Daily Star (Tucson)
January 10, 2007
By Howard Fischer, Capitol Media Services
PHOENIX — Arizona lawmakers want the state's top soldier to explain why National Guard troops fled their observation post last week after being approached by armed men who had crossed the border illegally.
Rep. Warde Nichols, R-Gilbert, who chairs the House Committee on Property Rights and Homeland Security, said he and some of his colleagues do not believe soldiers should have to back down. Nichols said he wants answers from Maj. Gen. David Rataczak, the state Guard commander.
"Why are they running?" Nichols asked. He specifically wants to know if their actions were at the direction of Gov. Janet Napolitano who not only is the commander in chief of Arizona Guard units, but also has said she is in charge of units from other states while they are deployed in Arizona.
"We just need some answers," Nichols said. The meeting is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday.
The incident involves four soldiers near Sasabe who left their observation post after armed men came within 100 yards of their position. Mario Martinez, a spokesman for the Border Patrol, said the Mexicans apparently were not going after the Guard troops, and likely were unaware of their presence.
Guard troops have been deployed in Southern Arizona in what are supposed to be support roles. Napolitano has said the aim is to free up Border Patrol officers, who are trained at spotting and apprehending those who enter the country illegally.
Those roles range from surveillance to constructing vehicle barriers and repairing border fences.
Nichols acknowledged that many legislators believe that Guard troops should not be confined to support roles.
"We think they should be there, able to apprehend these illegals when they're coming across the border," he said. "And why should they have to run when they have illegals coming at them armed with guns?"

Our NATIONAL GUARD should GUARD OUR NATION! Arm them and change their ROEs.

Not only had the illegals gotten through without resistance -- They'd gotten through armed, and dangerous.