EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Fort Bliss is providing “additional support” and training for the border mission in response to the national emergency declared by the Trump Administration, according to a news release sent out by the post on Tuesday, Jan. 28.
Fort Bliss said it is supporting US Northern Command and Joint Task Force North, which is headquartered at Fort Bliss. Fort Bliss said it is providing both organizations with joint reception, staging, onward movement, and integration, which is training that prepares military personnel, equipment, and materials for their mission.
“This process consists of providing a robust training program to ensure service members are ready to support the U.S. Customs and Border Protection in securing the southern border,” Fort Bliss said.
Once the training is complete, forces will move from Fort Bliss to locations along the southern border where they will be supporting “enhanced detection and monitoring efforts, while repairing and emplacing physical barriers,” Fort Bliss said.
Fort Bliss says its Biggs Army Airfield is also being used to support the Department of Homeland Security in augmenting the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in deportation flight efforts.
“Specifically, the Department of Defense is supporting ICE by providing military airlifts for the mission,” Fort Bliss said.
Fort Bliss says it received approximately 750 active-duty forces that are part of the 1,500 US Army and the US Marine Corps troops deploying to the southern border that will “augment the current 2,500 service members that are already deployed to the southern border mission.”
Approximately 100 soldiers of the 202nd Military Police Company from Fort Bliss will join military active-duty forces and will operate under the direction of the US Northern Command and JTF-North.
“I’m incredibly proud of our Soldiers, whose readiness, competence, character and professionalism exemplify the very best of our Army,” said Lt. Col. Samantha Hoxha, commander of the 93rd Military Police Battalion. “Their ability to rapidly deploy and execute this critical mission reflects their unwavering commitment to defending our nation’s interests and protecting its borders with honor and distinction.”
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