FORT HUACHUCA, Ariz. — Upon notification of 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division’s deployment in support of Joint Task Force-Southern Border, Col. Hugh Jones, brigade commander, established two multi-purpose companies. These two companies — Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment and Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment — not only serve as JTF-SB’s reserve force, but also showcases the unit's ability to transform in contact while supporting the U.S. Border Patrol across the 1,954 miles of southern border.
Historic implementation of the MPC
The primary factor that delineates these MPCs from a traditional infantry company are their operational control of the brigades Cyber Electromagnetic Activities platoon and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Reconnaissance Platoon.
“Attaching these additional capabilities coupled with our ability to infiltrate an area via multiple means helps us to coordinate across domains simultaneously,” said U.S. Army Capt. Benjamin Hale, commander of Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, “therefore, allowing us to build operational understanding quickly.”
Because of the companies’ rapid deployment fielding the necessary equipment to be a robust MPC has been challenging. The MPCs are prioritized in JTF-SB’s receipt of new equipment, including counter unmanned aircraft systems and modernization initiatives such as the Integrated Visual Augmentation System. JTF-SB is working diligently to create a robust feedback loop on new technology being utilized at the southern border, providing guidance for future fielding.
Implementation of the MPC at the southern border is both providing JTF-SB with a needed capability and proof of concept for utilization of a Stryker MPC in large-scale combat operations.
Data driven capability emplacement
JTF-SB’s area of responsibility spans the entire 1,954-mile southern border. Three subordinate brigades, 89th Military Police Brigade, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team and 90th Sustainment Brigade, are responsible for executing enhanced detection and monitoring operations in support of U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Finite resources require strategic placement of military capabilities. Analysis of both military detections and CBP apprehensions is used to allocate resources to where anticipated crossings will occur.
“2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team is responsible for 1,044 miles of border. With approximately 2,300 Soldiers, we have one Soldier per half mile of border.” said Jones, “When accounting for proper work-rest cycles and the personnel necessary to sustain detection and monitoring operations, the distance per Soldier becomes even larger.”
Correct implementation of these capabilities enables CBP to funnel illegal activity into zones and corridors where U.S. Border Patrol is staged to conduct law enforcement activities and therefore reduce illegal aliens from unlawfully entering the United States.
MPC effect on illegal activity at the southern border
Activity at the border is constantly shifting as malign actors adapt to the posture of CBP and military forces. As CBP tracks these activity patterns, they request repositioning to their military counterpart. In instances where the ground force brigade identifies a need for increased resources, JTF-SB can surge an MPC.
CBP organizes their force by geographical location. Across the southern border, there are nine CBP sectors, which are further broken down by station. Having military forces that can bridge operations between sectors helps reduce operational gaps. Additionally, the ability to flex forces quickly as patterns are identified is a vital capability.
The goal of the MPC is to rapidly deploy to curb the current illegal activity. After the companies’ initial assessment and action, a solution is then returned to the brigade responsible for the area to continue operations. MPCs’ combine brigade enablers with a maneuver element, which creates a company level fusion cell, capable of expediting the military decision-making process.
The first operational mission of an MPC at the southern border was to provide additional detection and monitoring capabilities via Stryker armored vehicles to support the El Paso Sector and 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team. Follow-on missions for the MPCs’ included an air assault and dismounted patrol mission near Nogales, Arizona. Stryker integration in support of 90th Sustainment Brigade in Laredo, Texas and establishment of listening posts/observation posts (LP/OP) in the Otay Mountains near San Diego, California.
The benefits of MPC’s are multifaceted, significantly enhancing the capabilities of JTF-SB. Their versatile structure enables JTF-SB to adapt quickly to emergent threats and a rapidly evolving operational environment, ensuring agile and effective responses across the southern border. Furthermore, these MPCs serve as a model for the broader Army, showcasing how a Stryker Brigade Combat Team can be employed in LSCO.
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