Securing-the-Southern-Border

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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.

Latest Photos

Video by Staff Sgt. John Carkeet IV

The Trainers

177th Armored Brigade

Jan. 6, 2021 | 2:11

Every year, thousands of civilian contractors converge at Ft. Bliss, Texas, to undergo a rigorous training regimen that prepares them to support their military counterparts in critical missions across the globe. The quality and practicality of their training rest in the hands of select Soldiers who possess the skills and experience to plan, organize and execute dozens of classes, exercises and simulations in two weeks. The Army Reserve Soldiers of Continental U.S. (CONUS) Replacement 9, B Company, 5th Armored Brigade (a.k.a. Task Force Viper) are part of this elite team of trainers who ensure contractors and service members are physically and mentally prepared to succeed downrange.

Video by Staff Sgt. John L. Carkeet IV, 3-347th Training Support Battalion, 5th Armored Brigade

Interviewees:

Sgt. 1st Class Kenneth Jackson, Senior Trainer, CONUS Replacement Center 9, Bravo Company, 5th Armored Brigade (aka Task Force Stinger) (0:04)
Hometown: Dallas, Texas

Sgt. 1st Class Chantell Macias, Senior Trainer, CONUS Replacement Center 9, Bravo Company, 5th Armored Brigade (aka Task Force Stinger) (0:19)
Hometown: Orlando, Florida

*This is an updated version of the video with the same title uploaded on 15 Jan 2021.