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.
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