Photo By Spc. Michael Graf | U.S. Soldiers, from 41st Engineer Battalion, 10th Mountain Division, assigned to Joint...... read more read more
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FORT BLISS, TEXAS - The 41st Engineer Battalion deployed from Fort Drum, New York to Fort Bliss, Texas, April 25, 2025, to provide engineering support to Joint Task Force-Southern Border (JTF-SB).
They will support JTF-SB’s mission by conducing engineering operations that include reinforcing the southern border barrier and modifying roads to increase mobility for government vehicles. Completion of these tasks will allow U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents to better perform their duties along the border.
Recently, the establishment of the New Mexico National Defense Area (NMNDA) was announced. The NMNDA is 170 miles of area along the southern border that is now part of the U.S. Army Fort Huachuca installation. The designation of the land as a military installation allows JTF-SB service members additional authorities including to temporarily apprehend trespassers to then hand them over to appropriate authorities
Additionally, JTF-SB may assist with the installation of temporary barriers, signage, and fencing in accordance with service-specific signage and fencing standards or as authorized and directed by the Fort Huachuca Senior Commander.
When traveling near the southern border, CBP faces uneven terrain and debris on roads which decreases their ability to traverse the terrain. The 41st Engineer Battalion will work in unison with CBP using their engineering capabilities where it’s needed most.
“The southern border varies in terrain and elevation,” said Staff Sgt. Oscar Esteves, assigned to the 41st Engineer Battalion. “It’s a different world depending on where you are.”
The 41st Engineer Battalion is also tasked with reinforcing damaged parts of the southern border barrier. The barrier has sustained past damages such as cuts and holes. The engineers will repair the damage by using welding techniques and reinforcing existing barriers by mounting spools of concertina wire.
The repairs will increase the effectiveness of the existing barrier and cause delays in unauthorized crossings. It allows CBP agents additional time to reach illegal aliens to further increase apprehension rates.
The 41st Engineer Battalion will be conducting similar engineering operations that U.S. service members from Task Force Sapper are already performing on the southern border barrier at Imperial Beach, California.
41st Engineer Battalion provides a unique capability to JTF-SB to continue to assist CBP and gain operational control of the southern border.
| Date Taken: | 04.25.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 04.28.2025 17:46 |
| Story ID: | 496290 |
| Location: | FORT BLISS, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 71 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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