Jun 30, 7:46 PM EDT

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Fletcher agrees to send Kentucky National Guard to border

By JOE BIESK

Associated Press Writer

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) -- Kentucky will "step up" by sending more than 600 troops to the U.S.-Mexican border this summer, mainly to work on roads and fencing, Kentucky's adjutant general said.

Maj. Gen. Donald Storm said Kentucky would send up to 670 troops to Arizona between July 8 and Aug. 19 to answer President Bush's call to bring 6,000 National Guard troops to the border. Storm called on other states to do the same.

"You got that right," Storm said when asked if he was challenging other states. "I challenge them to step up. You know, the commander in chief called for 6,000 troops, let's get it done."

Bush announced in May that he would ask states to voluntarily send help securing the country's border with Mexico. Because the president did not nationalize the guard, governors may or may not send assistance.

   Kentucky's promise to send troops comes as North Carolina Gov. Mike Easley also pledged 300 troops.

Storm said Kentucky's force would be sent in rotations, and troops would serve three-week stints. Their missions would coincide with their annual training requirements, Storm said.

Kentucky currently has about 1,200 troops deployed around the globe, Storm said. At its peak deployment over the next six months, Storm said, the Kentucky Guard will have about 1,800 troops deployed - including about 1,500 in Iraq and between 200 and 400 in Afghanistan.

However, with a total force of 7,944 troops, Kentucky will have enough personnel at home for any emergencies, Storm said.

"We'll step up when duty calls," Storm said. "When the country calls, Kentucky's always eager to stand up."

The first wave of Kentucky guardsmen sent to Arizona will include about 220 soldiers. The group, which will leave on July 8 and return July 29, is expected to help build roads, fences and "temporary vehicle barriers," according to a press release.

A second complement of about 56 Kentucky soldiers is scheduled to head down for three weeks starting on July 22 with a mission to observe the border and report any activity to border patrols.

A final band of about 275 troops is slated to deploy on July 29.

Bush had wanted about 2,500 troops on the border in support roles by Friday, and about 6,000 by the end of July. But fewer than 1,000 troops were in place as of Thursday, according to military officials in Texas, California, New Mexico and Arizona. The National Guard Bureau has said that the goal will be met.

Guard officials said Friday 2,500 Army and Air Guard members were in the four states, although some may not yet be "at the border" because they are going through an initial orientation and some training.

Kentucky would not likely be sending much more help unless a particular special skill was needed, Storm said.

"It's not the limit, but you know everybody needs to participate," Storm said. "I'm not going to make Kentucky the go-to person or the go-to state in this deal. We've got 54 states and territories ... so I expect all of the states to participate, not whine about it."

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