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Posted: 12:58 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31, 2012

President Obama arrives in El Paso

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KFOX14 News
Obama greeting military service members.

By El Paso Times reporter Hayley Kappes

FORT BLISS, Texas —

President Barack Obama has landed in El Paso.

Air Force One touched down at Biggs Army Airfield at 11:30 a.m. today, where the president was greeted by U.S. Rep. Silvestre Reyes, D-El Paso, and Maj. Gen Dana J. H. Pittard, commanding general of the 1st Armored Division and of Fort Bliss.

Others who welcomed the president on the tarmac included Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III, vice chief of staff for the Army, Raymond F. Chandler III, sergeant major of the Army, Command Sgt. Maj. Ronnie R. Kelley and about 100 soldiers and members of their families.

After landing, the president, accompanied by a motorcade of more than 20 vehicles, headed to a round table discussion with soldiers and members of their families.

Obama is expected to sign an executive order that directs federal officials to increase the number of VA mental-health professionals, improve suicide prevention and further research of post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries.

James Gibson, who was among the people who greeted Obama at Biggs, said care for veterans with mental illnesses has been grossly overlooked.

Gibson, 37, works in data entry at the Departure/Arrival Airfield Control Group at Biggs.

"It's an issue that's extremely important," Gibson said. "It hasn't gotten the attention that it should have."

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