Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and leaders from the California National Guard visited troops Aug. 18 along the border in San Diego County that they will monitor with border patrol agents for the next year. A handful of Joint Task Force Sierra Soldiers and Airmen represented the more than 250 California Guard members, who will participate in the southwest border operation.

California National Guard leadership has begun coordinating with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and scouting locations to make best use of 260 CNG members who will deploy to the U.S.-Mexico border this fall. President Barack Obama announced a plan in May to deploy 1,200 National Guard members to the Southwest border. In response, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger ordered approximately 260 California National Guard service members to active duty July 16.

Hovering 70 feet over a battle zone, about to be lowered to the ground on a cable dangling from his helicopter, medic Staff Sgt. Emmett Spraktes drummed up the necessary courage by picturing the parents of the injured Soldiers below.

Hovering 70 feet over a battle zone, about to be lowered to the ground on a cable dangling from his helicopter, medic Staff Sgt. Emmett Spraktes drummed up the necessary courage by picturing the parents of the injured Soldiers below. “We’re up there, and we know we can’t land and there’s a risk, but I imagine looking into the eyes of a [Soldier’s] parent and saying, ‘I can’t do this,’” Spraktes recalled. "How could I talk to the mother or father of one these boys and say, 'I was just too afraid to go’?"