Additional Intelligence and Engineering Forces to be Deployed at Southern Border

Over 600 U.S. troops, sourced from units with intelligence and engineering expertise, are gearing up to support ongoing military operations at the southern border.

Prior to President Donald Trump’s inauguration in January, around 2,500 U.S. troops were already assigned to support federal border security efforts.

Since taking office, the Trump administration has notably increased the number of military personnel aiding in border security initiatives.

In his initial week as president, Trump ordered roughly 1,500 more troops to be stationed at the U.S.–Mexico border, and the Pentagon has gradually begun to designate additional units to assist the Department of Homeland Security.

With this recent selection of military intelligence and engineering personnel, NORTHCOM has determined that about 9,600 U.S. troops are presently deployed or slated for deployment to the southern border.

Related Stories

Northern Command indicated that troop levels may change as certain military units eventually rotate off the border and as final plans are established for new units to join the ongoing operations.

The intelligence personnel selected for this latest deployment were sourced from active and reserve Air Force units.

The engineering personnel were drawn from the Army Corps of Engineers and the 18th Airborne Corps.

Specifically, personnel were chosen from the 20th Engineer Brigade based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina; the 687th Engineer Company from Fort Johnson, Louisiana; and the 19th Engineer Battalion located at Fort Knox, Kentucky.

NORTHCOM stated in a press release that these engineering units would be responsible for a variety of engineering tasks, as well as planning and coordination efforts essential for the continuing border security operations.

“Specific engineering missions will be clarified once the units arrive at the southern border area,” it noted.

Earlier this month, Northern Command disclosed that about 3,000 troops from an Army Stryker Brigade Combat Team and an Army General Support Aviation Battalion had been chosen for additional border security operations.

NORTHCOM mentioned that the Stryker brigade troops would offer administrative, logistical, vehicle maintenance, and engineering support for the mission, while the aviation personnel would assist in transporting personnel, equipment, and supplies, as well as conducting aerial medical evacuations as required.

Northern Command has not provided exact timelines for these two recent border deployments.

A military spokesperson, when contacted on March 12, refrained from detailing how the latest border deployments are progressing, citing operational security issues.