The Department of Defense (DoD) has a long history of supporting efforts to secure U.S. borders. Since the early 1990s, DoD has supported civilian law enforcement agencies’ border security activities including counterdrug, counter transnational organized crime, and other transnational threats. The scope and magnitude of the support provided today is similar to the support provided during the Bush, Obama, Trump and Biden administrations.

On Jan. 20, 2025, President Donald J. Trump, issued and signed an array of Executive Orders (EO) related to the Southern Border including a national emergency declaration at the Southern Border and clarification of the military’s role in protecting the territorial integrity of the United States. The national emergency EO directs the Department of Defense through U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM), to take all appropriate action to assist the Department of Homeland Security in obtaining full operational control of the Southern border.

Over 10,000 service members are deploying / have deployed to the southern border to augment the approximately 2,500 service members already deployed supporting CBP’s southern border mission. The exact number of personnel will fluctuate as units rotate personnel and as additional forces are tasked to deploy once planning efforts are finalized. 

Military personnel do not directly participate in civilian law enforcement activities. The active-duty personnel will support enhanced detection and monitoring efforts and repair and emplace physical barriers. Military personnel who have provided border security support as part of the FY2025 Department of Homeland Security request have performed to duties to include detection and monitoring, logistics, and transportation support that enhances CBP’s ability to impede or deny illegal crossings, maintain situational awareness, and apply the appropriate law enforcement response in support of its overall border security mission.

For imagery related to USNORTHCOM activities related to southern border operations, go to https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/DoDSWB25.

Border Operations

Service members providing motor transport operations support increase vehicle readiness rates. Military personnel dispatch vehicles, track preventative maintenance checks and services, and conduct light maintenance such as oil changes, tire changes, and battery replacements on CBP vehicles. DoD personnel may also operate heavy equipment such as forklifts, bulldozers, graders and front-end loaders to support sector/station loading and unloading of palletized shipments and infrastructure duties.

Service members supporting the CBP’s detection and monitoring mission man and operate mobile surveillance camera (MSC) vehicles at strategically placed sites to observe and report suspicious activity to CBP. MSC operators are working in Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas along known corridors used by individuals illegally entering the United States. Military members are only utilized to detect and monitor movement of individuals suspected of preparing to enter the United States, or those who have already entered the United States without proper authority.

Service members supporting the CRF are capable of providing force protection, medical, aviation and engineering support anywhere along the border on short notice. The CRF is made up of an aviation unit, a military police unit, engineer unit, inherent medical capabilities, and associated support personnel for these units. The CRF is activated upon CBP request.

DoD aviation support missions include tracking foot traffic signs, pickup/drop off of CBP agents in remote areas, monitoring for illicit activity, casualty evacuation, sling load capability, and transport of equipment as needed.

USNORTHCOM works closely with DHS and CBP to constantly assess support to CBP to ensure DoD has the right force, at the right time, in the right location to support CBP’s operational needs.