Perry Wants Predator Drones on Border Patrol

Gov. Rick Perry says he wants unmanned aircraft based out of Houston's Ellington Field to be used for surveillance along the state's border with Mexico.

The governor said "aviation assets" would be helpful to Texas' border security with Mexico.

He has asked the U.S. Defense Department to allow unarmed Predator drones to be used from Brownsville to El Paso as part of training exercises.

Perry was in Irving Monday before making a trip to Odessa. His remarks came during a brief address to about a dozen members of the Texas Municipal Police Association.

The group has endorsed the governor in his bid against Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and Debra Medina for the May 2 Republican gubernatorial nomination.

Perry also criticized the federal government for what he said was a failure to monitor the border.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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