Overview
- The Army, which announced the rotations Tuesday, said 1st Armored Division headquarters will take command of Joint Task Force–Southern Border from the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Huachuca.
- The plan also rotates forces, sending the 1st Mobile Brigade of the 101st to replace 1st Armored’s 2nd Brigade and deploying 1st Armored’s aviation and sustainment brigades to relieve units from the 1st Cavalry and 10th Mountain divisions.
- Under the mission, troops support Customs and Border Protection by detecting and tracking activity with ground sensors, vehicles, and foot patrols, and they do not carry out arrests or deportations.
- Northern Command reports about 8,700 active-duty service members are now supporting the task force across the region.
- Recent oversight and threat updates set the context, with a Pentagon watchdog citing leaking sewage and broken toilets at one site last summer and Gen. Gregory Guillot warning in March that cartels are adapting and could threaten U.S. forces.