Chairman visits Bliss; Mullen meets with MacFarland to discuss interagency needs

Photo By Daniela Vestal | Navy Adm. Michael G. Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, focuses on questions from media during a news conference on April 17 held along the U.S.-Mexico border in El Paso, Texas, during his visit to Fort Bliss.  

UNITED STATES

04.23.2009

Story by Virginia Reza 

Fort Bliss Public Affairs Office

The principal military adviser to President Obama, Adm. Michael G. Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, visited Fort Bliss and the El Paso-Mexico border on April 17.

Mullen said the main reason for his visit was to spend time with Brig. Gen. Sean B. MacFarland, commanding general of Joint Task Force North.

"I wanted find out what [MacFarland's] challenges and concerns were," said Mullen, "...and what I have seen in a brief period of time, is a terrific combined interagency effort."

JTFN's mission is to provide military support to law enforcement agencies and facilitate interagency synchronization within the U.S. Northern Command in order to anticipate detect, deter, prevent and defeat transnational threats to the homeland.

"[It's] a critical responsibility and one that from the military standpoint — we are really here in support of these missions," said Mullen.

Mullen said U.S. officials are concerned about the level of violence, the drugs infiltrating into the north, as well as the amount of guns and money going south. He emphasized the "shared responsibilities" between Mexico and the U.S., but said his visit had nothing to do with militarizing the border.

"We are in support of other agencies," said Mullen. "We have learned a lot about how to share information...but it really is not ours to lead in any way, shape or form. What I take away from this, is, an awful lot of confidence in our border police, in our FBI and other agencies...and from the [Department of Defense] standpoint, we certainly want to try and support that as best we can."

Mullen credits Mexican President Felipe Calderón's aggressive efforts in combating the drug cartels. He also said he was pleased with the progress along the border that has enhanced the quality-of-life for U.S. citizens, but recognizes there is still many challenges ahead and room for improvement.

"Adm. Mullen's visit provided us with a great opportunity to update him on how we support the nation's federal law enforcement agencies across the U.S. Northern Command area of responsibility."

• Date Taken: 04.23.2009
• Date Posted: 04.23.2009 16:49
• Story ID: 32790
• Location: US