Coast Guard Boosts Forces along Rio Grande

The Coast Guard is stepping up its operations along the Rio Grande in East Texas to bolster President Trump’s border security efforts with “Operation Surprise.” This initiative follows a national emergency declaration at the border in January and the establishment of the Southern Border Joint Task Force in March, facilitating Army troops to assist the Department of Homeland Security.

Under the name Operation River Wall, the Coast Guard aims to tackle drug trafficking into the U.S. and to mitigate illegal immigration along the 460-mile stretch of the river. New response vessels, shallow water craft, command and control units, and tactical teams will be deployed to support this operation, according to the Coast Guard’s announcement on Monday.

The Coast Guard is leading this operation in partnership with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Department of the Army, aiming to align with President Trump’s border policies. Rear Adm. Kevin Lunday, acting Coast Guard commander, emphasized the agency’s expertise in tactical boat operations and maritime interdiction in various environments, stating that they are now controlling the southern U.S. border along the Rio Grande.

While the Coast Guard didn’t specify how many personnel or assets are involved due to operational security, they did indicate a significant presence in the region. Lt. Col. Steve Ross shared that they are implementing a diverse range of resources to ensure comprehensive coverage of the area. However, specific details on deployment numbers or locations remain undisclosed.

Earlier this year, the Coast Guard noted an increase in its border presence. From January to March, the Southwest District reported tripling its forces in the area. In July, the Pentagon revealed that around 8,500 soldiers were allocated to the Southern Border Joint Task Force to support Coast Guard and Border Patrol operations addressing security threats.

The Coast Guard has initiated various large-scale operations recently, including Operation Pacific Viper, which launched in August as a collaborative effort with the Navy to combat illegal drug trafficking. Since then, the agency reported seizing over 100,000 pounds of cocaine in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, averaging about 1,600 pounds daily.