Photo By Capt. Shamari Pratt | U.S. Army Spc. Marquez Brockington, a Pennsylvania National Guardsman with the 130th...... read more read more
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RIO GRANDE VALLEY, Texas — U.S. Army soldiers, Border Patrol agents and Texas state troopers responded to a vehicle crash Aug. 6 following a high-speed chase involving suspected illegal aliens near the Texas southern border.
Soldiers assigned to the 130th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB) with Joint Task Force-Southern Border (JTF-SB), supporting Operation Ardent Vanguard, were notified of a high-speed pursuit in their sector. The fleeing vehicle, pursued by state troopers and Border Patrol agents, crashed into a utility pole. The five occupants then attempted to flee on foot and hide in the thick vegetation.
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Sethone Kan, a Pennsylvania National Guard soldier assigned to the 130th MEB under JTF-SB, deployed a drone with thermal capabilities. He detected heat signatures from the fleeing individuals while communicating with Border Patrol agents to guide them to the location.
“Using the drone to detect suspects is one thing,” Kan said. “It is also important that I have the ability to communicate the grids in real time with Border Patrol agents.”
Soldiers assigned to this mission use a secured handheld device, the Android Tactical Assault Kit (ATAK) system, to communicate critical information with partnering agencies.
Meanwhile, Border Patrol agents responded to a cry for help alongside U.S. Army Sgt. Mariekler Cruz-Nunez and Spc. Marquez Brockington, who are Pennsylvania National Guard members assigned to the 130th MEB. One of the suspects suffered injuries in the crash and required medical attention.
Brockington, an Army medic, assessed the injuries and worked with Border Patrol agents to stabilize the individual before the patient was transported to a higher level of medical care.
“As a medic, I always have my combat lifesaver bag on me so I can respond in these types of situations,” Brockington said. “We spend countless hours training so we can provide medical aid or equipment with the goal of keeping people alive.”
All five individuals were apprehended by Border Patrol and Texas state troopers. They were identified as crossing the border illegally and are currently in Border Patrol custody.
Soldiers assigned to the 130th MEB under JTF-SB work alongside the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection within narrowly defined authorities to provide unique military capabilities to protect the territorial integrity of the U.S. southern border.
| Date Taken: | 08.12.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 08.21.2026 13:46 |
| Story ID: | 572384 |
| Location: | TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 21 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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