Texas Governor Greg Abbott Issues Orders to Monitor US Military Exercise In State

It has been reported that Texas Governor Greg Abbott has ordered the Texas Guard to keep an eye on planned US military exercise in the state this summer.

The action came as an apparent response to Internet rumors that the exercises are actually an introduction to a military takeover.

The new exercises are called Jade Helm 15 and include elite teams, such as the SEALs and Green Berets, from four military branches, reports the Dallas Morning News. The new exercise will be implemented in seven states from July 15 to September 15.

The Associated Press (AP) reports that the internet rumors circulated by conservation websites and social media, got intensified after a map was shown labeling Texas, Utah and parts of California as 'hostile' for purposes of the training exercise

The Army said that the terrain and topography in the selected areas are ideal to imitate foreign combat zones, the AP reports.

According to the Austin American-Statesman, the command spokesman Lt. Col. Mark Lastoria answered questions for two hours, but did very little to sway the convinced that something is up.

"It's the same thing that happened in Nazi Germany: You get the people used to the troops on the street, the appearance of uniformed troops and the militarization of the police ", Bob Wells, a Bastrop resident, told the American- Statesman after the meeting.

He further said that they are gathering intelligence and are moving logistics in place for material law. He also said whatever he said could also be wrong as these were just his estimations and he is a conspiracy theorist after all.

Bastrop County Judge Paul Pape told the AP that conspiracy theorists and fear mongers have been in frenzy, but he also believes that Abbott's letter will surely help to calm the situation to a greater extent.