U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Commander Lt. Gen. William Graham, Joint Task Force Southern Border Deputy Commander Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Jeremy Winters, and South Pacific Border Task Force Commander Lt. Col. Jeffrey Beeman monitor border barrier installation progress at the BMGR-1 project site Nov. 17 near Yuma, Arizona. This critical project protects a vital military installation, strengthens border security and the broader southern border mission. (Photos by Robert DeDeaux, USACE Los Angeles District PAO)

Greg Hegge, director of programs and deputy engineer of the South Pacific Border Task Force, center, and Mike Tuttle, a project manager assigned to the South Pacific Border Task Force, center right, brief panel installation progress at the BMGR-1 project site Nov. 17 near Yuma, Arizona. USACE is replacing permanent border barriers along the southern border of the U.S. at the direction of the U.S. Army by the Secretary of War, in response to the presidential national emergency declaration dated Jan. 20, 2025, authorizing the use of Section 2803 of Title 10, U.S. Code. (Photo by Robert DeDeaux, USACE Los Angeles District PAO)

Rebecca Hodson, director of the Army Communications and Outreach Office, join U.S. Army Corps of Engineers senior leaders on a tour of border barrier installation at the BMGR-1 project site Nov. 17 near Yuma, Arizona. This critical project protects a vital military installation, strengthens border security, and supports the broader southern border mission. (Photos by Robert DeDeaux, USACE Los Angeles District PAO)

From left to right, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Maj. Gen. Mark Quander, deputy commanding general for military and international operations; Brig. Gen. John Lloyd, commander of the South Pacific Division; and Angela Tugaoen, area engineer for the South Pacific Border Task Force, are pictured during border barrier installation at the BMGR-1 project site Nov. 17 near Yuma, Arizona. USACE is replacing permanent border barriers along the southern border of the U.S. at the direction of the U.S. Army by the Secretary of War, in response to the presidential national emergency declaration dated Jan. 20, 2025, authorizing the use of Section 2803 of Title 10, U.S. Code. (Photo by Robert DeDeaux, USACE Los Angeles District PAO)

Mike Tuttle, a project manager assigned to the South Pacific Border Task Force, left, briefs U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Commander Lt. Gen. William Graham, right, about the details of the panel installation progress at the BMGR-1 project site Nov. 17 near Yuma, Arizona. USACE is replacing permanent border barriers along the southern border of the U.S. at the direction of the U.S. Army by the Secretary of War, in response to the presidential national emergency declaration dated Jan. 20, 2025, authorizing the use of Section 2803 of Title 10, U.S. Code. (Photo by Robert DeDeaux, USACE Los Angeles District PAO)

Greg Hegge, director of Programs and deputy engineer of the South Pacific Border Task Force, monitors border barrier installation progress at the BMGR-1 project site Nov. 17 near Yuma, Arizona. USACE is replacing permanent border barriers along the southern border of the U.S. at the direction of the U.S. Army by the Secretary of War, in response to the presidential national emergency declaration dated Jan. 20, 2025, authorizing the use of Section 2803 of Title 10, U.S. Code. (Photo by Robert DeDeaux, USACE Los Angeles District PAO)

Senior Leaders with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers monitor border barrier installation at the BMGR-1 project site Nov. 17 near Yuma, Arizona. USACE is replacing permanent border barriers along the southern border of the U.S. at the direction of the U.S. Army by the Secretary of War, in response to the presidential national emergency declaration dated Jan. 20, 2025, authorizing the use of Section 2803 of Title 10, U.S. Code. (Photo by Robert DeDeaux, USACE Los Angeles District PAO)

YUMA, Ariz. — U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Joint Task Force Southern Border leaders recently toured progress on a border barrier installation at the Barry M. Goldwater Range 1 project site.

The tour included U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Commander Lt. Gen. William “Butch” Graham, Joint Task Force Southern Border Deputy Commander Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Jeremy Winters and other senior leaders, who were hosted by South Pacific Border Task Force Commander Army Lt. Col. Jeffrey Beeman.

“It was fantastic to host the entire senior leadership of USACE and showcase the great work our task force is delivering for the enterprise and the nation,” said Greg Hegge, director of programs and deputy engineer of the South Pacific Border Task Force. “The tour allowed us to show just one small aspect of the support we are providing the country and to USACE through installation and construction of permeant border barrier.”

USACE is leading the construction, including the planning and design of permanent border barrier in the Barry M. Goldwater Range. A construction contract was awarded Aug. 15, and construction began Oct. 15.

The BMGR-1 project protects a vital military installation, strengthens border security and supports the broader southern border mission.

“We are responsible for many different aspects of the southern border mission,” Hegge said. “One of the objectives of this project will allow U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents to save time and manpower by focusing on more high-risk or unprotected areas of border.”

The project consists of four sections, totaling about 15 miles in the Barry M. Goldwater Range, replacing legacy mesh fencing -- much of which has holes cut into it or is climbable -- with permanent border barrier. The total cost of the emergency military construction is about $200 million.

“(Lt. Gen.) Graham created the South Pacific Border Task Force as a single organization to oversee all USACE equities along the southern border,” Hegge said. "We are exceptionally proud of our role, work and team along the southern border and how it leads to and accomplishes the overall objectives of Joint Task Force Southern Border, while also meeting the intent of the administration’s executive orders."