U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Takes Charge of Border Mission

On Friday, the 101st Airborne Screaming Eagles officially assumed control of the Joint Task Force responsible for securing the southern border. This transition took place during a ceremony at JTF Headquarters located at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, where the division took over from the 10th Mountain Division.

Over 10,000 soldiers from the various branches of the military have been deployed as part of this mission, and notably, there haven’t been any migrant releases reported in the last four months. “This is a real-world mission against a living, breathing threat,” stated Maj. Jeffrey Carmichael of the 10th Mountain Division. He highlighted the focus on enhancing warfighter readiness through their efforts at the border.

The 10th Mountain Division had stationed three brigades, each comprising around 3,000 to 5,000 troops, in nine border areas designated by Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Beyond simply tackling illegal immigration, Carmichael noted that these missions offer troops a valuable opportunity to test new tactics and techniques.

“The Joint Task Force is more combat capable than when it arrived,” he added. “Our Stryker Brigade here has a better operational readiness than we had back home.” In July, the task force implemented a 250-mile buffer zone along the border to bolster CBP operations. Additionally, the Department of Defense, under Army Secretary Pete Hegseth, deployed 700 soldiers to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) across several states.

The 101st Airborne Division has a storied history, known especially for its courageous stand against German forces during the Siege of Bastogne in World War II. Carmichael further emphasized the adaptability of the Joint Task Force, stating, “We have a flexible force that can deploy based on superior intelligence and can more effectively distribute personnel across our southern border.”