101st Airborne Division Takes Command of Southern Border Task Force

The 101st Airborne Division, known as the Screaming Eagles, officially took over command of the Joint Task Force (JTF) focusing on southern border security on Friday. The transition from the 10th Mountain Division occurred during a ceremony at Fort Huachuca, Arizona.

This mission involves over 10,000 soldiers from various branches of the military. Interestingly, there have been no migrant releases in the last four months. Maj. Jeffrey Carmichael from the 10th Mountain Division remarked, “This is a real-world mission against a living, breathing threat.” He stressed the importance of building readiness among warfighters through these efforts at the border.

The 10th Mountain Division had positioned three brigades—typically made up of around 3,000 to 5,000 troops—across nine areas identified by Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Carmichael pointed out that the border operations serve a dual purpose: not only do they help manage immigration but also provide a platform for troops to refine their skills and tactics.

He noted, “The Joint Task Force is more combat capable than when it arrived. Our Stryker Brigade here has a better operational readiness than we had back home.” In July, the JTF created a 250-mile buffer zone along the border to enhance support for CBP operations. Additionally, the Department of Defense, under Army Secretary Pete Hegseth, dispatched 700 troops to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) across several states.

The 101st Airborne is one of the most renowned divisions in military history, particularly recognized for its gallant defense against German forces during the Siege of Bastogne in World War II.

Carmichael summed up the capabilities of the JTF by stating, “We have a flexible force that can deploy based on superior intelligence and can more effectively distribute personnel across our southern border.”