The Nation - News from May 31, 1987

Members of the Arizona National Guard left for Honduras, their first deployment to Central America since Republican Gov. Evan Mecham reversed his Democratic predecessor’s policy against such trips. The 44 civil engineers will spend two weeks repairing and improving living quarters at Palmerola Air Base. Mecham, who took office in January, returned Friday from a trip to Central America and said the Arizona Guard’s presence would demonstrate U.S. support and help deter an attack by Nicaragua. Former Gov. Bruce Babbitt permitted military police to go to Honduras in 1986 but disapproved other deployments.