Joint Task Force Southern Border demonstrates an unprecedented level of interoperability with partner agencies as part of their whole-of-government approach to secure the southern border.
From the headquarters down to squad-sized elements directly on the border, task force personnel are working alongside U.S. Border Patrol every day, ensuring synchronized efforts to deter illicit activities.
"My experiences in past deployments and working in Europe have reinforced the importance of partner collaboration — a principle directly applicable to our current mission with Border Patrol," said Army Lt. Col. Cris Gasperini, commander of the 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, assigned to JTF-SB. "The integration of our organic assets with those of Border Patrol has been exceptionally effective, demonstrating the necessity of a whole-of-government approach to border security."
The task force's integration has proven critical to operations across the southern border's diverse terrain. Along the 1,954 miles of the border lie cities, deserts, thick vegetation, rivers and rural communities.
The varied terrain along the border presents distinct security challenges. These are addressed through both the organic assets of JTF-SB and the complementary capabilities of interagency partners.
The AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel radar is one of the unique capabilities that the task force uses to address these security challenges at the border and enable U.S. Border Patrol's law enforcement role while also providing defensive capabilities against small unmanned aerial systems.
The U.S. Border Patrol El Paso Sector, which oversees 268 miles of the southern border in Texas and New Mexico, is one of nine sectors that has seen the benefits of an integrated approach with the task force.
"The Border Patrol in El Paso focuses on collaboration with various agencies and the Department of War's JTF-SB to enhance border security to target hostile drones and the challenges they pose," said Walter N. Slosar, chief patrol agent with the El Paso Sector. "Enhanced detection capabilities between JTF-SB and U.S. Border Patrol give us full spectrum capabilities to track, identify and mitigate aerial threats."
JTF-SB and U.S. Border Patrol remain committed to strengthening this vital partnership and continued innovation in the face of evolving threats with a broad range of capabilities. This collaboration serves as a model for future interagency cooperation and underscores the importance of a unified approach to national security.