Securing-the-Southern-Border

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Guard Soldiers Help Rescue Three From Rio Grande
April 15, 2026 — LAREDO, Texas – Three illegal aliens were rescued April 1 from the Rio Grande after a vehicle... MORE

U.S. Border Patrol agents, Texas state troopers and U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to Joint Task Force-Southern Border rescue three illegal aliens attempting to cross the U.S. southern border near Laredo, Texas, April 1, 2026.

Texas National Guard Drone Teams Support Border Partners, Strengthen Guard Readiness
March 18, 2026 — BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A request from higher headquarters crackled over the radio of a Texas National... MORE

A U.S. Soldier with the Texas National Guard’s 640th Technology Integration Cell prepares a small unmanned aircraft system for launch during border security operations in the Rio Grande Valley near the southern border in Texas, Feb. 6, 2026.

Michigan Guard Soldiers Welcomed Home from Southern Border Mobilization
February 23, 2026 — LANSING, Mich. – The 1463rd Transportation Company of the Michigan National Guard was officially... MORE

U.S. Army Brig. Gen Ravindra V. Wagh, the assistant adjutant general of the Michigan Army National Guard, addresses the Soldiers of the 1463rd Transportation Company, 272nd Regional Support Group, during their Yellow Ribbon reintegration event heldFeb. 21 in Lansing, Michigan.

Tennessee Guard Unit Returns from Southern Border Mission
November 26, 2025 — NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Nearly 50 Guardsmen with the 168th Military Police Battalion recently completed a... MORE

The 168th Military Police Battalion poses for a group photo during their deployment supporting the U.S. Border Patrol.

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 Capt. Jennifer French, Spc. Sandy Veravazquez

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CW5 (Ret.) Doug Englen Reflects on the Legacy and Impact of the 160th SOAR (Airborne)

101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)

March 20, 2026 | 9:23

Chief Warrant Officer 5 Douglas M. Englen, a pilot with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), is recognized for a career marked by exceptional skill, leadership, and combat experience. Englen accumulated more than 7,000 flight hours in fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft and completed 34 combat tours, flying more than 2,500 missions in support of the Global War on Terrorism.

After assessing into the regiment at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, in May 1998, Englen quickly advanced as a flight lead and standardization officer. On Oct. 19, 2001, he served as the lead pilot in a large-scale joint aviation operation following the attacks of Sept. 11, helping lead a combined rotary- and fixed-wing force during the longest helicopter air assault in U.S. military history, flying more than 14 hours and covering over 1,400 nautical miles with four in-flight refuelings.

On May 1, 2011, Englen was awarded the Silver Star for his actions as a flight lead pilot supporting a joint task force, successfully penetrating a sophisticated air defense network, inserting ground forces undetected and adapting to multiple contingencies, including the loss of an aircraft. He later received a second Silver Star for his actions as a pilot in command during a high-risk casualty evacuation mission in a heavily contested area, demonstrating decisive leadership under fire and enabling ground forces to complete their mission.