Gallery: On a Mission With the Men of Arizona Border Recon

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    Johnny Milano
    01

    milano-John Border Militias

    Tim Foley surveys the hills with binoculars in the early morning. Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge, AZ.
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    Johnny Milano
    02

    milano-John Border Militias

    The members of the Arizona Border Recon take a group photo. For some, it is their first time out. The AZBR uses this period as a vetting process for newcomers.
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    Johnny Milano
    03

    milano-John Border Militias

    Aaron, a first time participant with the AZBR, is a Texas resident. Aaron feels he's there "to do his part."
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    Johnny Milano
    04

    milano-John Border Militias

    "Spartan," the AZBR group's communications officer, wears patches displaying his blood type and medical allergies. Another patch above them reads "*Nunquam Dormio*," Latin for "I never sleep." Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge, AZ.
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    Johnny Milano
    05

    milano-John Border Militias

    Manny Vega, born in Puerto Rico, drags a cigarette on the way to a patrol.
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    Johnny Milano
    06

    milano-John Border Militias

    Less than a mile from the Arizona/Mexico border, Tim Foley looks for reports of a possible group making its way through. Foley says the busiest time of day for border crossings is at night, particularly during a full moon. Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge, AZ.
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    Johnny Milano
    07

    milano-John Border Militias

    Foley and Spartan talk with Border Patrol agents. Sasabe, AZ.
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    Johnny Milano
    08

    milano-John Border Militias

    Tim Foley passes a historic border monument as he crosses back over to the US side.
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    Johnny Milano
    09

    milano-John Border Militias

    A Border Patrol agent stops by the AZBR's Forward Operating Base (FOB), a rented building that the group utilizes to launch their operations. Sasabe, AZ.
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    Johnny Milano
    10

    milano-John Border Militias

    Blaine laces up his boots at the AZBR's Forward Operating Base, where the group reorganizes and launches operations. Sasabe, AZ.
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    Johnny Milano
    11

    milano-John Border Militias

    Tim Foley discusses the coming days of the next chapter of the operation. He uses Google Earth to mark possible rally points for which the teams of AZBR will stay the night surveying. Sasabe, AZ.
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    Johnny Milano
    12

    milano-John Border Militias

    A sign that hangs in the window of the AZBR's Forward Operation Base that reads "If you can read this you are in range." Sasabe, AZ.
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    Johnny Milano
    13

    milano-John Border Militias

    The border fence in Nogales, AZ. To the right lies the US and to the left lies Mexico. Along the road, CBP agents monitor and patrol.
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