By Staff
Special to the standard
An agreement Gov. Bob Riley has signed with the U.S. Department of Defense allows Alabama National Guard soldiers to assist border security efforts along the U.S.-Mexico border.
All Alabama Guard participating in the border security mission, known as &#8220Operation Jump Start,” will serve under the command of Riley. However, the federal government will pay for all expenses associated with the mission. The agreement also allows the Guard's mission to be scaled back or terminated if needs in Alabama, such as a natural disaster, warrant their return.