The Pentagon announced on Wednesday an expansion of its military presence along the U.S.-Mexico border.
According to Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell, the expansion covers approximately 140 miles of federal land near the Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Range in Arizona, along with a 250-mile designated military zone stretching along the Rio Grande in South Texas.
The Navy will oversee the Arizona National Defense Area (NDA), while the Air Force will manage the South Texas NDA, according to Parnell.
Two additional military zones have already been established along the border: one in New Mexico, extending from the Army’s Fort Huachuca in Arizona, and another in West Texas, which is part of Fort Bliss.
The move complements ongoing deployments of 8,500 troops under Joint Task Force Southern Border, who continue to assist U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) with surveillance and patrols.
Since its establishment in March, the task force has carried out over 3,500 patrols, including more than 150 joint operations with CBP and the Mexican military, Parnell said.
Parnell highlighted recent successes, reporting zero unauthorized border crossings between June 28 and 30. “The strong partnership between the Defense Department and CBP yielded exceptional results,” he said.
He added that the U.S. has made “incredible progress” and will continue striving to achieve full operational control of the border.
