Photo By Sgt. Mary Torres | From left, U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Nathan Baptiste and Cpl. Jordan Medina, both with...... read more read more
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YUMA, Ariz. — As part of Operation Sandia Draw, U.S. Soldiers with 759th Military Police Battalion and Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 15, both assigned to Joint Task Force-Southern Border (JTF-SB), are actively enforcing the Yuma National Defense Area (YNDA). Soldiers executed Operation Sandia Draw concurrently with the Marines Weapons’ and Tactics Instruction (WTI) exercise in support of multi-domain operations.
Yuma NDA Activation
The new National Defense Area is an extension of Marine Corps Air Station Yuma and is Department of War (DoW) property.
“The NDA is an expansion of existing authority under DoW restricted areas,” said Maj. Shelbee Hernandez, the 759th Military Police Battalion operations officer. “This authority enables DoW commanders an increased capability to enforce the National Defense Areas just like they do their military installations.”
Soldiers from 759th Military Police Battalion and Marines from Combat Logistics Battalion 15 worked together inside the YNDA during Operation Sandia Draw. Soldiers executed security operations, conducting daily patrols and detection and monitoring efforts, while CLB15 Marines emplace NDA signage.
“Security is the foundation of every mission, and Soldiers from our battery were critical to ensuring the safety of the Marines on their reconnaissance missions and sign emplacement missions,” said 1st Sgt. Jared Jarvis, first sergeant of Alpha Battery, 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, attached to 759th Military Police Battalion.
The activation of the National Defense Area in Yuma on September 24th enables Soldiers and Marines to temporarily apprehend illegal aliens, and gives local law enforcement the ability to charge these individuals with specific criminal offenses.
“NDAs support DoW commanders by expanding federal authorities, and this ultimately supports the U.S. Customs and Border Protection in the enforcement of their mission,” said Maj. Shelbee Hernandez.
Multi-Domain Operations: MCAS Yuma
Operation Sandia Draw ran concurrently with the Marines’ Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course based at MCAS Yuma, enabling a multi‑domain exercise that integrated air, ground, and surveillance assets.
“Weapons and Tactics Instructor course (WTI) is a seven-week training event which emphasizes operational integration of the six functions of Marine aviation in support of the Marine Air Ground Task Force, Joint and Coalition Forces,” said 1st Lt. Shinice Davenport, a Marine who works with 759th Military Police Battalion as a joint task force liaison. “While WTI is separate from Joint Task Force-Southern Border operations, the Marines executing this training concurrently with the ground efforts of JTF-SB enhance border security by strengthening the overall presence.”
This operation flooded both air and ground with troops and Marines under this cross‑agency integration. It magnified presence and enabled deterrence and monitoring efforts across key sectors. Soldiers from the 759th Military Police Battalion utilized assets such as the Black Hornet drone system and the Ground Based Operational Surveillance System (Expeditionary), or GBOSS(E), to control the air and land domains.
“These systems enabled us to support Border Patrol agents by monitoring remote desert terrain; tracking suspicious activity and signs of life. Ultimately, the goal of flooding DoW presence in the National Defense Area during Operation Sandia Draw was to support the mission of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and we continue to seek opportunities to support Border Patrol in Yuma,” said Hernandez. “Combined efforts from our Soldiers and Marines have helped achieve our goal.”
Collaborative Efforts, Significant Results
U.S. Border Patrol reports indicate that in recent months, the combination of strategic joint agency efforts and missions such as Operation Sandia Draw has led to a 100% interdiction effectiveness rate for nearly two months.
“Bringing the National Defense Area to Yuma was a critical effort accomplished by the Marines with the help of our Soldiers,” said Jarvis. “Our teams collaborated quickly to enable shared understanding of the joint operational area and accomplish the mission.”
As part of JTF-SB, the 759th Military Police Battalion collaborates with Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents to identify and mitigate threats to national security and achieve operational control of the southern border. The efforts of Marines and Soldiers demonstrate the partnership between the DoW and the Department of Homeland Security to protect the territorial integrity and secure the nation’s borders.
| Date Taken: | 10.02.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 10.16.2025 13:05 |
| Story ID: | 549925 |
| Location: | YUMA, ARIZONA, US |
| Web Views: | 73 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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