PHOENIX -- Gov. Janet Napolitano says she's keeping a close eye on the situation as the National Guard begins reducing the number of drops along the U.S.-Mexico border.

National Guard troops were deployed along the border to back up the Border Patrol while it moved to add more agents. That's now happening and the National Guard has begun the process of reducing the total of troops along the nation's southern border to 3,000 from 6,000.

Napolitano says federal officials assured her that National Guard troops will continue to perform surveillance and other duties that actually help enforcement and that the reduction is taking place in motorpools and other so-called "back office" support duties.

Napolitano says she'll be quick to call on the state's congressional delegation if that doesn't prove to be the case.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)