Hundreds more active-duty troops may be sent to US-Mexico border

WASHINGTON — U.S. officials say the Pentagon is finalizing plans that would send hundreds of additional active-duty troops to the U.S.-Mexico border for several more months to support the Department of Homeland Security.

The troops would install another 160 miles of concertina wire in Arizona and California.

Details are being worked out, but the plan likely would extend the military's border mission though the end of September.

The mission is separate from President Donald Trump’s campaign to build a border wall but is designed to bolster security.

RELATED

Homeland Security asks for more DoD help at border

The current DHS request runs through Jan. 31.

By Tara Copp

Officials said Friday the installation of the wire barrier is not expected to take long, so troops doing that would be finished long before September.

There currently are 2,350 active-duty troops assigned to the border mission, which was slated to end Jan. 31.

The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss details not yet approved.

More In Your Military

Recipients look back at their service on National Purple Heart Day

National Purple Heart day is on August 7.

Advocates seeking Purple Heart for soldier hurt during 2009 attack appeal to SCOTUS

The appeal to the Supreme Court — which has garnered support from two former Trump admin. officials — follows years of efforts by the late Staff Sgt. Joshua Berry’s family.

China extends threatening military exercises around Taiwan

China said it is extending threatening military exercises surrounding Taiwan that have disrupted shipping and air traffic and substantially raised concerns.

Soldier becomes Rhode Island Guard’s first Black colonel

Sharon Harmon attained the rank of colonel at a promotion ceremony Saturday at Camp Fogarty.

Army vet sentenced for $2 million Fort Hood gear theft

The veteran must also pay nearly $1.3 million to the Army as restitution for her role in the Fort Hood theft.

In Other News

US to send Ukraine another $1 billion in military aid

The new aid includes additional rockets for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, as well as other ammunition and equipment.

Debunking the myth that long range fires can replace Marine cannon artillery

Replacing cannon artillery with rockets risks the lives of Marines and success of close operations, these retired Marines say.

Milley almost quit over Trump, wrote biting resignation letter, new book reveals

“You are using the military to create fear in the minds of the people," Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley wrote in a never-sent resignation letter.

Prosecution rests in deadly Jarheads Motorcycle Club crash trial

Volodymyr Zhukovskyy faces negligent homicide and other charges in connection with the June 2019 crash in Randolph, New Hampshire.

After Jarheads motorcycle crash, driver’s blood showed heroin-related substance

A forensic toxicologist testified that a substance made when the body breaks down heroin was present in Volodymyr Zhukovskyy’s blood just hours after the crash.

Load More