The Joint Task Force-Southern Border (JTF-SB) marked its first anniversary in March 2026 having secured the 3,145-kilometer border between Mexico and the United States with heightened surveillance and patrols organized by the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division. Its first year of operation achieved record low levels of illegal migration and reduced drug smuggling. “During this first year, Joint Task Force-Southern Border and partners have proven what a whole-of-government approach to our nation’s southern border can accomplish,” said Army Maj. Gen. David Gardner, commanding general of the JTF-SB and 101st Airborne Division, said in a Department of War news release. “Our joint teammates and partners have strengthened border security through unity of effort, accelerated decision-making and enhanced detection capability. While the environment is complex, our mission is clear: to secure the homeland with precision, professionalism and respect for the rule of law.”
Over the past year, JTF-SB has supported Department of Homeland Security efforts to secure the border through increased manpower and advanced sensors, drones and patrols. According to the Department of War, the effort has been substantial.
- More than 20,000 service members have served under JFT-SB.
- About 22,000 enhanced detection and monitoring missions were conducted, including 3,000 joint patrols with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents and 800 concurrent patrols with elements of Mexico’s security forces.
- More than 84,000 security missions were completed, bringing enhanced situational awareness. The missions used advanced sensors, including fixed and mobile ground-based systems and long-range radar.
- Nearly 1,600 aerial observation flight missions and 220 unmanned aerial missions provided increased monitoring capabilities.
- Nearly 6,000 signs and 2,000 buoys were erected along 1,056 kilometers of the southern border to clearly identify the five recently created national defense areas.
- Over 51,000 rolls of concertina wire are being erected with the help of CBP, reinforcing barriers along the southern border and adding increased deterrence at known smuggling hotspots.
The southern border also has been a testing ground for new equipment and emerging technology. The TRV-150C tactical resupply vehicle has been used as an infantry squad vehicle to train Marines for the first time. An unmanned surface vessel and maritime detection device also were deployed to counter unmanned aerial systems.
Moving forward, JTF-SB plans to strengthen integration, advance data-driven operations and continue supporting CBP and partner agencies. “Our mission continues and our commitment is unwavering,” Gardner said. “We will keep evolving, supporting our partners and protecting the American people.”
In October 2025, the 101st Airborne assumed command of JTF-SB from the 10th Mountain Division, which established the JTF-SB in March 2025.
In March 2026 testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee, U.S Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) and North American Aerospace Defense Command Commander Gen. Gregory Guillot said the JTF-SB has improved security along the border.
“Employing unique, all-domain military capabilities, JTF-SB quickly improved detection and monitoring, facilitated engineering and barrier emplacement, and provided rapid logistics and transportation support along the entire southern border. As an essential contributor to the interagency mission, JTF-SB personnel operate in constant coordination with CBP agents while conducting a steadily growing number of parallel cross-border patrols with Mexican military partners,” Guillot said.