The state is reducing the number of National Guard troops on the border for Gov. Greg Abbott's border security mission. Officials with the Texas Military Department say there are more than 5,000 service members deployed for Operation Lone Star. Last November, Abbott stated he had sent 10,000 troops to the border. But the number of troops at the border topped out at around 6,500, with thousands more supporting the mission from Austin and elsewhere. The Texas Military Department says fence construction and unmanned aerial surveillance have allowed for a reduction of troops.