Securing-the-Southern-Border

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Arizona National Guard’s Task Force SAFE Strengthens Border Security
May 13, 2025 — NOGALES, Ariz. — In an effort to disrupt the flow of illegal drugs into the United States, Arizona... MORE

U.S. Soldiers with the Arizona Army National Guard and U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents inspect a cooler of fish for illegal drugs or other contraband items at the Dennis DeConcini Port of Entry in Nogales, Arizona, April 30, 2025.

Texas Guard Members Bolster Border Patrol Efforts along Rio Grande
May 7, 2025 — ROMA, Texas – A steady breeze rolled across a closed bridge crossing the Rio Grande, offering relief... MORE

A U.S. Soldier with the Texas Army National Guard monitors activity along the Rio Grande during a patrol near Roma, Texas, April 25, 2025.

Maryland Guard Soldiers Return Home From Border Mission
March 19, 2025 — EDGEWOOD, Md. – Maryland Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 1st Battalion, 224th Aviation... MORE

Maryland Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 1st Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment, celebrated their return home from federal deployment under the direction of U.S. Northern Command at Weide Army Heliport at the Army Aviation Support Facility at Aberdeen Proving Ground-South March 8, 2025.

Oregon National Guard Prepares for Southern Border Mission
March 13, 2025 — SALEM, Ore. - The Oregon National Guard's 1249th Engineer Battalion is preparing for a year-long... MORE

Soldiers from the Oregon National Guard's 1249th Engineer Battalion stand in formation during a change of command ceremony at the Anderson Readiness Center in Salem, Oregon, Sept. 8, 2024. The battalion is preparing for a year-long mobilization to support security operations along the southern border beginning October 2025.

District of Columbia Guard Returns from Border Mission
February 18, 2025 — WASHINGTON – About two dozen District of Columbia Army National Guard Aviation Command members... MORE

Left to right, Brig. Gen. Leland D. Blanchard II, the adjutant general for the District of Columbia National Guard; Maj. Gen. John C. Andonie, commanding general (Interim) for the D.C. National Guard; Capt. Corbin Cali, aviation operations officer and Det 1 A Co 1/224th S&S commander; Sgt. 1st Class Richard Molezzo, Det 1 A Co 1/224th S&S NCOIC; Chief Warrant Officer 5 Bernard L. Aguon, command chief warrant officer for the D.C. National Guard, and Lt. Col. Ryan Rooks, state aviation officer for the D.C. Army National Guard. About two dozen D.C. Guard members returned home following a 12-month deployment to the southern border.

Texas National Guard Operation Lone Star Helps Secure Border
February 11, 2025 — ROMA, Texas - National Guard members continue to play a key role in sealing and securing the... MORE

A Texas Army National Guard Soldier looks across the Rio Grande River near Roma, Texas, while taking part in border operations with the Texas Tactical Border Force, Feb. 5, 2025. The TTBF, comprising Texas National Guard members in a state active duty status, works with state and federal law enforcement officials, including U.S. Border Patrol, to deter, detect and stop illegal border crossings and to interdict transnational criminals.

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Video by George Felton

CBP Leads Large-Scale Multi-Agency Active Shooter Readiness Exercise at LAX

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Public Affairs - Visual Communications Division

March 26, 2019 | 0:47

CBP Leads Large-Scale Multi-Agency Active Shooter Readiness Exercise at LAX
Exercise Demonstrates Responding Agencies Capabilities and Coordination during a Mass Casualty Incident

LOS ANGELES—U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in conjunction with federal and local law enforcement agencies, medical emergency services and industry partners, successfully conducted the first-ever large scale active shooter drill at LAX’s Terminal 4.

With more than 300 participants representing 12 federal and local agencies, including law enforcement officers, medical first responders, volunteers and support personnel, the exercise demonstrated response capabilities, coordination and communications during the first 20 minutes of a mass casualty incident.

“An exercise of this scope empowers responders to react decisively and save valuable time protecting lives including their own,” said Carlos C. Martel, CBP Director of Field Operations in Los Angeles. “Active shooter incidents are dynamic and evolve quickly, therefore a coordinated law enforcement response is critical to stop the aggressive action of a shooter and mitigate harm to potential victims.”

Conducted on March 26th and March 27th during non-operational hours, the drill consisted of two active shooter scenarios, one at the baggage area and a second one at an aircraft stationed at the gate. The scenarios were comprised of twenty eight repetitive appointments each lasting approximately 45 minutes. The two-day exercise lasted a total of 16 hours.

“CBP is extremely grateful with the support and participation of our law enforcement partners, medical responders and volunteers in this critical exercise,” said Donald R. Kusser CBP Port Director Los Angeles International Airport. “In actual emergencies interagency coordination is critical as active shooter incidents are one of the most dangerous situations facing law enforcement today.”

The following entities participated in the drill: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Los Angeles World Airport Police, Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), Federal Air Marshall Service (FAMS), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), Transportation Security Agency (TSA) Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) and American Airlines.

CBP is continually assessing the capabilities of our facilities and has been making — and will continue to make — necessary preparations. Preparations include participating in operational readiness exercises and the mobilization of resources, as needed, to ensure the facilitation of lawful trade and travel.

CBP’s highest priority is the safety and security of the American people, the traveling public, CBP personnel and the communities in which we serve.