The US Department of Defense is deploying 1,500 active-duty service members along with additional air and intelligence assets to the southern border to support enforcement operations already underway. Acting Secretary of Defense Robert Salesses (made the announcement on Wednesday.
“On Monday, to protect the security and safety of United States citizens, President Trump declared that a national emergency exists at the southern border of the United States. The president directed me to take all appropriate action to support the activities of the secretary of homeland security in obtaining complete operational control of the southern border of the United States,” the Pentagon said in apress release on Wednesday.
The Pentagon has established a task force to oversee the swift implementation of border-related executive orders.
US Northern Command is leading the effort, supported by US Transportation Command, the National Guard Bureau, the military services, and the Department of Homeland Security.
The additional 1,500 active-duty service members authorized by Salesses will begin assisting with the placement of physical barriers and other border-related tasks within the next 24 to 48 hours, according to a senior military official. The contingent includes 1,000 soldiers and 500 Marines who had previously been on standby in Southern California for potential wildfire-related support during the Los Angeles County wildfires that broke out two weeks ago.
