Photo By Spc. Samarion Hicks | U.S. Marines Gunnery Sgt. Bryan Ross and Pfc. Connor Madsen, assigned to Task Force...... read more read more
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U.S. Marines with Task Force Sapper recently certified more than 60 U.S. Soldiers from Task Force Castle in mobile elevated work platform operations, at the southern border barrier in Dona Ana, New Mexico, June 13, 2025.
The completion of the mobile elevated work platform training, otherwise known as a boom lift, reinforced joint efforts between the task forces, both under Joint Task Force–Southern Border and U.S. Northern Command to enhance physical security measures along the southern border.
The boom training, an eight-day certification course conducted by Task Force Sapper, equipped Soldiers assigned to Task Force Castle, with the technical skills and safety standards required to operate boom lifts. The boom lifts enable troops to place concertina wire obstacles on existing barriers, a key part of current border infrastructure missions.
“We had 66 Soldiers attend—and 66 certified,” said U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Bryan Ross, operations chief of Task Force Sapper and lead instructor for the course. “We ran two days of classroom instruction, three days of hands-on performance evaluation, and then capped it off with real-world application at the barrier itself. It was a full cycle: train, certify, apply.”
Ross, who has nearly two decades of experience in Marine Corps combat engineer units, emphasized the broader value of the training effort.
“Safety has always been my primary consideration,” said Ross. “This training wasn’t just about checking a box; It was about ensuring that every service member, regardless of branch, takes safety seriously. The safest way to work at height, placing wire 30 to 60 feet in the air, is with the boom. And we made sure they were ready for it.”
While Task Force Castle had initially focused on signage placement missions, the evolving operations of southern border reinforcement demanded more. When Task Force Castle was tasked to support barrier reinforcement, Task Force Sapper readily embraced the opportunity to instruct the course.
Among the newly certified operators was U.S. Army Sgt. Jose Caban, a team leader with 76th Combat Engineer Company-Styker, 4th Engineer Battalion, 4th Infantry Division assigned to Task Force Castle.
“This was my first time working with that kind of equipment,” said Caban. “I’ve driven Army vehicles before – dozers, graders – but this boom training was a totally new experience. The instructors broke everything down in a way that was simple to follow, and once we got hands-on, it clicked.”
Caban’s unit began reinforcing the protective barrier in Texas the week following the course. According to him, the boom training directly enabled their ability to conduct mission-essential tasks like installing concertina wire safely and effectively.
“We’re just enhancing the existing structure, making the barrier stronger,” said Caban. “The equipment made it easier, and the Marines made sure we knew how to use it the right way.”
The joint aspect of the training, Soldiers learning from Marine instructors, also left a strong impression on participants.
“It was cool working with Marines again,” said Caban. “We operate differently in some ways, but the mission, the drive — it’s the same. It helped bring us together.”
For U.S. Army Spc. Destiny Cervantez, a carpentry and masonry specialist with 642nd Engineer Support Company, 41st Engineer Battalion, 10th Mountain Division, assigned to Task Force Castle, the training reinforced not only new technical skills but also a safety mindset.
“This was my first time working with Marines, and honestly, I loved it,” said Cervantez. “They were direct, loud, and very disciplined – but also fun. What stood out most was how much they emphasized safety. They made sure we understood how to use the equipment properly and kept us engaged every step of the way.”
Cervantez, who had limited experience with heavy equipment prior to this course, stated she now feels better prepared to contribute to her unit’s upcoming concertina wire emplacement mission.
“They gave us all the tools we needed,” said Cervantez.
As the Army and Marine Corps continue joint operations along the southern border, this training reflects the kind of inter-service cooperation that strengthens mission readiness and force safety.
“I was honored to take part in something like this,” said Ross. “Our job is to ensure they go home safe at the end of the day, and I think we gave them everything they need to do just that.”
| Date Taken: | 06.28.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 07.01.2025 13:32 |
| Story ID: | 501954 |
| Location: | DONA ANA, NEW MEXICO, US |
| Web Views: | 52 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Task Force Sapper certifies Army engineers in boom operations at southern border, by 1LT Giselle Cancino, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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