Photo By Spc. Michael Graf | U.S. Soldiers with 642nd Engineer Support Company, 41st Engineer Battalion, assigned...... read more read more
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SAN ANTONIO —Joint Task Force-Southern Border’s (JTF-SB) U.S. Army engineers have assisted the U.S. Border Patrol to close approximately 1,400 miles of border from Hidalgo County, New Mexico, to McAllen, Texas, since April 2025.
The 41st Engineer Battalion leads Task Force Castle and directly supports 10th Mountain Division, assigned to JTF-SB, conducting general construction projects and combat engineering operations that disrupt illegal entries into the United States.
“From denying criminals the ability to transport drugs, to stopping human trafficking,” said Lt. Col. Daniel Brady, the 41st Engineer Battalion commander, “this mission is aimed at protecting Americans and others from illicit actors willing to take advantage of anyone for their own gain.”
According to Brady, the mission is important because it facilitates complete operational control of the southern border to protect the territorial integrity of the United States. He said there has been a significant decrease in illegal activity in his battalion’s area of operation.
Sgt. 1st Class Charles J. DeLuca, a platoon sergeant in the 642nd Engineer Support Company, 41st Engineer Battalion, said he believes his soldiers have contributed to a decrease in illicit traffic over the last six months by working on barrier improvements.
“Fortifying and enhancing the protective barrier to stop illegal aliens from entering the United States,” said DeLuca. “That’s what we bring to the table. That’s how we’re assisting U.S. Border Patrol, and, ultimately, how we’re contributing to the United States government’s goals.”
The engineers enable JTF-SB patrol elements and Border Patrol to accomplish border sovereignty through barrier reinforcement, emplacing obstacles, improving roads and clearing vegetation. Enforced barriers and obstacles disrupt illegal crossing attempts. Brush clearing increases illegal activity detections, and road maintenance significantly improves response times.
They use military and commercial engineering equipment designed for rugged terrain and demanding conditions. Their chainsaws, brush hogs, pole saws and industrial trimmers efficiently cut miles of brush. To reinforce barriers, they use commercial boom lifts, industrial welders and tie wire machines.
“Our organization is highly mobile, and we are able to adjust our location based on intelligence reports,” said Brady. “Based on the location in need of support, we employ vegetation clearance teams or barrier reinforcement teams to stop or delay entry into the United States.” The Department of War and Border Patrol are aligned in their efforts to secure the border.
“I’ve had many interactions with Border Patrol while on mission, and they have expressed their appreciation of us being there,” said DeLuca. “We’ve expressed it back; we appreciate them having a constant presence out there with us as well.”
Brady said his soldiers work in tandem with Border Patrol every day, sharing intelligence and executing joint operations. The engineers also work with U.S. Marine Corps engineers to refine engineering techniques and share safety measures.
DeLuca believes the opportunity to work on the southern border with Border Patrol has been a valuable opportunity for his new soldiers. He said they joined the Army to deploy, and even though they are not overseas, the mission shows them what an operational environment entails.
“Experience is something you can’t teach; you must live it,” said DeLuca. “They now have the operational experience to train future soldiers, so this mission has been tremendously great for my company, in all aspects.”
| Date Taken: | 10.14.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 10.15.2025 11:31 |
| Story ID: | 550133 |
| Location: | SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 130 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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United States Customs and Border Protection
