Photo By Sgt. Mary Torres | U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 15 (CLB 15), Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group, Army Soldiers with Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 140th Aviation Regiment (3-140th AVN BN), and U.S. Border Patrol (USBP), all assigned to Joint Task Force-Southern Border (JTF-SB), convoy an Army UH-72 Lakota aircraft to Naval Air Facility El Centro, Calif., during a rapid-response aircraft recovery operation Sept. 27, 2025. The teamwork between CLB 15 Marines, 3-140th AVN BN and USBP agents from the El Centro Sector, to recover the aircraft showcases the operational agility and interoperability of U.S. service members and interagency personnel under JTF-SB, proving their ability to work effectively in challenging, time-sensitive conditions. JTF-SB executes full-scale, agile, and all-domain operations in support of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to protect the territorial integrity of the United States and achieve 100% operational control of the southern border. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Mary Torres) see less
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JTF-SB Marines, Soldiers, and U.S. Border Patrol execute rapid aircraft recovery mission
EL CENTRO, Calif. – Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 15’s (CLB 15) “Task Force Forge,” in coordination with U.S. Army Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 140th Aviation Regiment (3-140th AVN BN) and U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) agents from the El Centro Sector, successfully executed a rapid-response aircraft recovery operation, Sept. 27, following an in-flight precaution. No injuries occurred.
“Helicopters, like any mechanical system, can malfunction or have components fail. Fortunately, our crews are trained for these scenarios, and they reacted in an appropriate manner, and landed the aircraft safely preventing any further damage and injury," said Chief Warrant Officer 4 Will Sharp, Senior Warrant Officer Advisor, 3-140th AVN BN.
Following notification, Marines with CLB 15’s Engineer Reconnaissance Team (ERT) responded to the call for logistical support, assessing terrain conditions and determining feasible access routes for recovery vehicles.
“The initial reconnaissance showed just how challenging the terrain was,” said 2nd Lt. Ilyas Nasri, ERT officer-in-charge. “We had to evaluate multiple factors – overhead obstructions, turn radii, elevation changes. Eventually, we mapped a safe route and paved the way for the recovery team to execute.”
Within 12 hours, CLB 15 deployed a 15-Marine team, composed of motor transport, engineering, and maintenance specialists. Working in concert with Army aviation personnel and USBP agents, the team initiated recovery operations.
The aircraft remained structurally intact. The original landing site was narrow and uneven, complicating access. After a secondary site survey, personnel identified a suitable loading zone roughly 200 feet away. Engineers cleared a route for the recovery vehicles using ground marking tools and terrain clearance techniques.
The team brought forward a Logistics Vehicle System Replacement (LVSR) hauling an M870A3 heavy equipment trailer, supported by an AMK36 wrecker. Using soft slings and approved aviation rigging procedures, the aircraft was lifted and maneuvered onto the trailer.
Lance Cpl. Jacob Gray, native of Black Creek, Wisconsin, served as the primary wrecker operator, expertly lifting the aircraft with precision.
“Lance Cpl. Gray’s performance under pressure speaks volumes about the level of professionalism and technical proficiency our Marines maintain,” said Capt. Joe Baumgartner, CLB 15’s logistics and maintenance officer and the recovery officer-in-charge. “His precise execution ensured the aircraft was recovered without further damage.”
Supporting the maneuver was Cpl. Dennis Fernando, who expertly reversed and positioned the LVSR and trailer in tight, uneven terrain. The aircraft was secured using approved aviation binders, tie-down chains, and structural tie points.
Border Patrol agents from the El Centro Sector cordoned off nearby roads and provided security and escort support throughout the operation.
“The teamwork across all units – Marines, Soldiers, and Border Patrol – was seamless,” said Baumgartner. “This was a textbook example of joint and interagency cooperation in a real-world mission.”
Over the course of five hours, the team transported the aircraft approximately 30 miles to Naval Air Facility El Centro, where it was turned over for maintenance and inspection.
“Having procedures in place helped our team react appropriately and prevent serious damage or injury to our air crew,” said Sharp. “The quick response of border patrol ensured the safety of the scene and the public because the aircraft landed on a highway. Our teammates from the Marine Corps were able to use their heavy equipment to move a non-airworthy helicopter back to its home base for repair.”
This operation highlights the operational agility and interoperability of U.S. service members and interagency personnel under Joint Task Force-Southern Border (JTF-SB), demonstrating their ability to operate jointly in austere and time-sensitive environments.
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