Page 6 - The Dispatch December 2019

TEXAS MILITARY DEPARTMENT
30th Anniversary

COUNTER DRUG PROGRAM

Story and Photos By: Capt. Nadine Wiley-DeMoura sion special agents in charge, the Texas Department
Joint Task Force Counterdrug Public Affairs Public Safety, the Texas Rangers and the Customs
and Border Protection Air and Marine Division.
AUSTIN, Texas — Current and former task force
members reunited with their law enforcement and The law enforcement partners were presented with
community partners to commemorate the Texas Na- a 30th anniversary certificate of appreciation and a
tional Guard Joint Counterdrug Task Force’s 30 years 30th anniversary commemorative Counterdrug coin.
of support to law enforcement agencies, Aug. 7,
2019, at Camp Mabry. As part of the ceremony, Chief Warrant Officer 4
Brandon Briggs was honored as the Counterdrug Bill
The National Guard Counterdrug program was es- Enney Task Force Member of the Year, and Staff Sgt.
tablished by congressional legislation in 1989, with Tiffany Carrion was awarded as the Texas Criminal
a mission to leverage unique military capabilities, Analyst of the Year.
national resources and community focus in the na-
tion's response to drugs and associated security In addition, Arthur Doty, a DEA senior executive
threats. from Washington D.C., was the law enforcement
guest speaker.
“The National Guard Counterdrug Program was one
of the most brilliant acts our U.S. Congress estab- “Terrible people do terrible things, but in order to
lished 30 years ago,” Col. Miguel Torres, Texas Na- get them into the courtroom you have to synthe-
tional Guard Joint Counterdrug coordinator, said. size this,” said Doty, pointing to a photo of multiple
“This program allows the citizen-Soldier to support stacks of case evidence in a presentation. “And don’t
law enforcement agencies down to our communi- forget the electronic version. The only way we are
ties, making it a solid grassroots initiative.” going to do that is with the relationship with the
Guard and law enforcement."
With miles of border and numerous bridges and
border crossings, Texas is prime real estate for ma- “You take the best and brightest in the National
jor drug trafficking organizations to operate, but not Guard and combine them with our law enforcement
without a fight from the task force. analysts and case agents and synthesize that into
something a courtroom, an assistant U.S. attorney,
Shortly after President Reagan declared a “War on and a jury will understand.”
Drugs,” the Texas National Guard was one of the first
states to conduct counter-narcotics support mis- Leaders from the Massachusetts, New Mexico and
sions with law enforcement. Mississippi Counterdrug programs also attended to
commemorate the national program’s success.
“Cartels and drugs do not discriminate and show no
mercy,” said Torres. “The Counterdrug program adds “I love the fact this is the 30th anniversary and we
a layer of support and hope to our communities, our are proud of that history,” said Doty. “The relation-
great state of Texas and our national security.” ship between the Guard and our law enforcement
has to grow. This is our community, our state, our
Counterdrug law enforcement partners in atten- country, and we become all the stronger when we
dance included the Department of Homeland Secu- work together. On the behalf of all law enforcement
rity Investigations, three out of the four Texas High personnel, we thank you for support to us as well.”
Intensity Drug Trafficking Area directors, two of the
three Drug Enforcement Administration field divi- Maj. Gen. Dawn Ferrell, the Texas Military Depart-
ment Deputy Adjutant General – Air, presided over

6 TheDISPATCH December 2019