MISSION, Texas (Border Report) — The Texas Tactical Border Force recently sent to the border conducted training exercises Tuesday afternoon at Anzalduas Park in Mission, Texas.

The exercises involved aircraft, like the Chinook helicopters that were also being sent with the new troops to the region, a U.S. Customs and Border Patrol official told Border Report.

The Texas Tactical Border Force is a special operations unit from Texas Army National Guard that Abbott sent down “to work side-by-side with U.S. Border Patrol,” he said in a statement. About 400 arrived Monday in the Rio Grande Valley.

Anzalduas Park abuts the Rio Grande and overlooks Reynosa, Mexico, and is a favorite spot for Abbott to hold news conferences as well as show the international river to visiting lawmakers and dignitaries. This is the same park where Abbott in March 2021 announced Operation Lone Star, the state’s multi-billion-dollar border security initiative.

Border Report was told Tuesday that the newly arrived Texas National Guard troops will assist Border Patrol agents much like previously stationed troops that are part of Operation Lone Star.

The new Texas National Guard troops also are expected to help with mechanical equipment repairs, and transportation needs like moving encountered migrants.

Meanwhile, Border Patrol agents will continue to operate mobile video surveillance systems, also called “scope” trucks. They have long retractable telescoping masts atop the unit that allow elaborate camera systems to scan the horizon. The equipment includes day and night cameras and can allow agents to see for about 7 miles and are equipped with ground radar.

Since Abbott began Operation Lone Star in 2021, National Guard troops, as well as Texas DPS troopers have been sent to Texas’ border with Mexico at a cost of about $11.1 billion.

Abbott on Friday asked President Trump’s administration for reimbursement for the $11.1 billion spent by the state on border security.

Republican Sen. John Cornyn, of Texas, on Tuesday took to the floor of the U.S. Senate and asked his colleagues to support measures to reimburse the state.

“I support this request, and along with our state delegation, we are going to fight to get Texas taxpayers the money they’re rightfully owed,” Cornyn said. “Texas taxpayers should not have to foot the bill alone as a result of President Biden’s mishandling of border policy … The federal government created this crisis, and it’s up to the federal government to pay the tab.”

Sandra Sanchez can be reached at SSanchez@BorderReport.com.