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Illegal border crossings hinder F-16 training at Gila Bend, Az.




Tuesday, April 12, 2005 - The US military lost significant amounts of training time because illegal immigrants from Mexico constantly wandered onto a bombing test range in Arizona. The Air Force said it has had to interrupt exercises with F-16 jet fighters after illegal immigrants were spotted on a bombing range east of Gila Bend, north of the Mexican border.

"In 2004 we suspended range operations 55 times for a net loss of 122 hours," said Jim Uken, director of the 56th Fighter Wing range management office.

There is some concern that, besides wandering immigrants, foreign terrorists could cross the Mexican border and infiltrate the Arizona bases to conduct intelligence gathering or commit acts of sabotage.

Smugglers just drive the immigrants up the highway and dump them off, where they stumble right onto the testing range.

The commissioner of the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection said more than half the undocumented immigrants entering the United States come through Arizona. He promised that federal help is on the way.

Two other bases in Arizona, have experienced similar problems. The Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma, which for nearly 40 miles touches the US-Mexico border in the southwestern corner of Arizona, and the Army Yuma Proving Ground, which is about 30 miles north of the border.




"face it....perhaps your only purpose in life is to serve as a warning to others!"

Uh,Imsure the word would get out that, Your ass will get smoked if ya cross in that area. I say keep it up. Didnt know the Blue Death was Lethal...snicker snicker..

"The greatest pleasure is to vanquish your enemies, to chase them before you, to rob them of their wealth, to see their near and dear bathed in tears, to ride their horses and sleep on the white bellies of their wives and daughters."
-Genghis Khan

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