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Operation Lone Star

National Guard troops were dispatched to famous Texas ranches with private security as part of border mission

The dispatching of troops to the sprawling private ranches, far from the border, raises questions about the use of National Guard troops, who have widely decried the mission as aimless, political and oversized, as the cost of the effort has already ballooned to $2 billion a year.

Texas National Guard stationed outside a King Ranch Norias Division entrance on Jan. 13, 2022.

“We really don’t understand why we are there. We’re essentially mall security for ranches that already have paid security details to protect them.”

— Texas National Guard member
Texas National Guard stationed outside a King Ranch Norias Division entrance on Jan. 13, 2022.

“Not much to do”

Texas National Guard stationed at Kenedy County on Jan. 13, 2022.

“We needed it”

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