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SAN ANTONIO, Texas — U.S. Army geospatial engineer Soldiers play a vital role in advancing the Joint Task Force-Southern Border (JTF-SB) mission to protect and secure the U.S. southern border.
Sgt. 1st Class Mark Davis, a 12Y (Geospatial Engineer) and the non-commissioned officer in charge of the S-2 (Intel) section assigned to the 130th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, is deployed with JTF-SB in support of Operation Ardent Vanguard. His responsibilities directly influence Soldier and equipment placement based on maps he creates and analyzes.
Army Geospatial Engineers collect and analyze geographic data, satellite imagery, and aerial photography. That information allows him to create tactical maps, 3D terrain visualizations, and databases that help commanders plan operations and navigate unfamiliar terrain.
“I wanted to provide a better life for my daughter,” Davis said in response to why he joined the Army National Guard.
Originally from Wilson, North Carolina, Davis has served in the North Carolina National Guard (NCNG) for nine years. He joined the NCNG when he was 34 years old. He graduated from North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University with a degree in geospatial information systems. After joining the military, he discovered they offered his degree as a Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) and decided that was the path he wanted to take.
His commitment, willingness to learn, and work ethic led to his promotion to sergeant first class within nine years.
“Coming from a military family, I had a father that made sacrifices to set me up to be successful as a Soldier and a father.”, says Davis in reflection.
Sgt. 1st Class Davis also draws inspiration from his daughters as his main reason “why” he serves. His father’s foundation helped Davis’s commitment to leadership as a senior NCO and a father.
“Do it when no one's looking,” Davis states. "Don’t look at this as work but bettering yourself.”
In his current role, Davis oversees intelligence and security at the brigade level during the JTF-SB mission.
“I was placed in a master sergeant slot as a sergeant first class; I'm thankful for the trust and opportunity,” Davis said.
Intelligence and monitoring remain a priority for JTF-SB, with ongoing assessments conducted to ensure any area of operation meets the mission’s evolving requirements. Geospatial Engineers like Davis continue to help make that readiness possible.
From studying how landforms and environmental factors affect troop and vehicle movement, to assisting combat missions, disaster relief efforts, and homeland security operations, intel Soldiers provide crucial services that allow commanders and Soldiers to remain ready for the mission.
The work of intel Soldiers isn’t always recognized by Soldiers on the front line, but they are essential to mission readiness.
For Soldiers like Sgt. 1st Class Davis, “Ever Dependable” is more than just a phrase. It embodies the commitment and discipline to always be ready for the task at hand to accomplish the mission at large.
U.S. Northern Command is working side-by-side with 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: | 08.27.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 09.15.2026 16:11 |
| Story ID: | 574462 |
| Location: | SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 9 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, The Intelligence Behind the JTF-SB Mission, by SPC Raekwon Wilson, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
