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EAGLE PASS, Texas (KWTX) - Gov. Greg Abbott toured the new Forward Operating Base in Eagle Pass Friday and welcomed the first 300 Texas National Guard soldiers moving into the base.

Following the tour, Gov. Abbott held a press conference to discuss Texas’ border security efforts and outline how he believes the new base will assist soldiers deployed by Operation Lone Star.

“Over the past two years, illegal immigration has gone down in the state of Texas by 72 percent,” said Gov. Abbott. “That drastic decrease is a direct result of the deterrence that has been established by the Texas National Guard. Troops deployed on Operation Lone Star have been scattered for miles across the region, having to drive miles to work and miles back to where they’re staying later that night.”

Gov. Abbott continued, saying “It has been an inefficient method of housing our soldiers, and this base camp will provide the type of housing and standards of living that both improve the quality of life for the men and women in uniform securing our border and allow Texas to have a permanent presence on the southern border.”

The new base will be able to house up to 1,800 Texas National Guard soldiers and accommodate an additional 500 who are deployed.

Features of the base include a 700-seat dining facility, a recreation center, laundry facilities, WiFi access, rooms for soldiers starting at 118 square feet, chaplaincy programs and medical and psychological health facilities.