SAN DIEGO -- The U.S. National Guard will continue guarding America's border alongside the U.S. Border Patrol at least through the end of the year. The border includes a 116-mile stretch of coastline in San Diego County.

10News recently got an exclusive look at the machinery the National Guard is using to scout boats and other maritime vehicle off the coast.

The Long Range Advanced Scout Surveillance System, or L-RAS for short, is being used to spot smugglers and illegal immigrants on the ocean during the day and night.

"They're bringing in pangas, surfboards, jet skis and really anything they can do to blend in," said Border Patrol Agent Kurtis Woods.

10News learned 260 National Guardsmen have been working alongside 2,600 San Diego Sector Border Patrol agents since last year. Since then, the National Guard has helped apprehend more than 5,500 illegal immigrants along the border.

"Everyone's really excited to have us here; they're excited to have our help," said Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Brooke Parris.

That help has become increasingly important as smugglers became increasingly creative.

"The smugglers are becoming frustrated so they're moving to other locations," said Woods.

In recent years, cartels and smuggling organizations have dug elaborate tunnels or flown ultralight aircraft to smuggle drugs, weapons and people into the U.S. Lately, there has been an increase in going by sea.

That's where the L-RAS comes in. It can see up to 10 miles off the coast.

The National Guard sets it up in several locations along the coast. When they see a suspicious boat, the Office of Air & Marine is called to apprehend them.

In the past year, the National Guard has helped nab more than 120 boats off San Diego's coast, and 631 people have been arrested off of those boats.