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JBSA News
NEWS | March 23, 2009

Drug violence prompts Mexico travel restrictions

By Sean Bowlin 12th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs

With violence from drug cartels growing in Mexico, the 12th Flying Training Wing has restricted travel to the country. 

"The welfare and safety of our personnel are a top priority," said 12th FTW Commander Col. Jacqueline Van Ovost in a memorandum dated March 16, detailing the policy. 

The memorandum said the border towns of Tijuana, Nogales, Juarez, Nuevo Laredo, Ciudad Acuna, Piedras Negras, Reynosa, Matamoros, and the interior, to include Mexico City and Monterey, are no longer authorized travel destinations. 

Colonel Van Ovost said the policy is in effect immediately and will continue until safety and security conditions improve. Squadron commanders or their equivalent may approve exceptions to the policy on a case-by-case basis. 

She added exceptions should only be considered for Airmen visiting family members who reside in Mexico and for emergency situations - or for mission requirements. 

The memorandum added that if practical, the "wing man" concept should be followed for all movement; travel routines should be varied; and vehicles should be parked in secure areas and should be routinely checked for tampering. Furthermore, Airmen should call their nearest military installation, the nearest U.S. security agency and their home base. 

Mance Clark, 12th Security Forces Squadron anti-terrorism officer, said most of the violence against Americans in Mexico comes in the form of kidnappings. 

"Some are targeted - people involved in the drug trade are fighting among themselves. Some people are in the wrong place at the wrong time," he added. 

Mr. Clark said the drug trafficking wars have become "turf" wars in the border towns. Corrupt police department officials along the border in Mexico have been exposed, government officials have been bought off, and the drug cartels are fighting each other. Unfortunately, some tourists are being caught in the crossfire as the struggle for lucrative drug sales territory continues. 

Unless an Airman is visiting a family member in Mexico or there's a mission-related 
reason, there's no reason to travel to Mexico for pleasure, Mr. Clark reiterated. 

"You can do a Caribbean or European vacation at a fairly cheap price," Mr. Clark noted, "and have a safe, secure holiday." 

Mr. Clark said if an Airman is approved to travel to Mexico, then he must have current Level 1 Antiterrorism training, must attend appropriate threat and area briefings and submit a personal travel plan to his squadron commander or equivalent. 

He said that when traveling anywhere, Airmen should consult the Internet for security information about their destination, as they do to obtain the best deals on rental cars and hotel accommodations. 

"Take two hours and put some due diligence into planning for your security," he added.
Briefings about conditions in Mexico can be obtained either from the Office of Special Investigations at 652-1852 or by calling Mr. Clark at 657-1357/1904.

Other local restricted areas 

Boys Town, the Widows Web Bar and Night Club and the Up and Down Club in Acuna, Mexico, are off-limits to armed forces personnel as of January 2007. 

In San Antonio, the Cracker Box Palace at 622.W. Hildebrand Ave, all local Planet K stores and their stores in surrounding counties, the Voodoo Tattoo Parlor at 202 Aransas Ave. and Texas Players Club at 8235 Vicar Dr. are off-limits.