The Joint Task Force Southern Border (JTF-SB), which was created to safeguard U.S. territorial integrity, commemorated its one-year anniversary on Saturday.
“During this first year, Joint Task Force-Southern Border and partners have proven what a whole-of-government approach to our nation’s southern border can accomplish,” Army Maj. Gen. David Gardner, JTF-SB and 101st Airborne Division commanding general, said. “Our joint teammates and partners have strengthened border security through unity of effort, accelerated decision-making and enhanced detection capability. While the environment is complex, our mission is clear: to secure the homeland with precision, professionalism and respect for the rule of law.”
JTF-SB members expanded detection and monitoring of the 1,954 mile U.S.-Mexico border and improved data sharing that enabled U.S. law enforcement partners to increase apprehensions. Approximately 22,000 enhanced detection and monitoring missions were conducted with nearly 3,000 missions as joint patrols with U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents. More than 800 missions were conducted on both sides of the border with the Mexican Secretariat of National Defense.
The task force was created using soldiers assigned to the 10th Mountain Division deployed to Fort Huachuca, Ariz., under the authority of U.S. Northern Command. The 101st Airborne Division assumed control of the JTF-SB on Oct. 10.