Border patrol: troops use frontier for real-world training.

• Author: Magnuson, Stew
• Position: SURVEILLANCE

FORT BLISS, Texas -- While concern over the large influx of illegal immigrants is driving the Bush administration's renewed interest in securing the southern border, Army Col. Paul Disney is quick to point out that the ordinary migrant hopping over a fence in search of economic opportunity is not considered a "transnational threat."

International terrorism, narcotics trafficking, weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems, and organized crime, meet the definition. However, common smuggling methods can be used as conveyances for terrorists, said Disney, director of operations for Joint Task Force North, which has facilitated the deployment of active duty and guard units on the southern and northern borders for two decades.

JTF North had its origins in the beginning of the so-called war on drugs in the late 1980s. Its goal is to support law enforcement agencies to deter transnational threats to the homeland. Since its inception, it has completed more than 5,800 missions in support of the agencies such as the Border Patrol.

"No one agency given the enormity of our borders really can handle the problem set by themselves," Disney added.

Nevertheless, JTF North's engineering and surveillance projects have contributed to hardening the border. And halting "alien smuggling organizations" is among its stated goals. It provides a model for the kinds of projects the National Guard will be expected to undertake as the Bush administration implements its controversial plan to strengthen the southern frontier, officials said.

One such project can be found in the arid hills an hour's drive east of San Diego where active duty Marine engineers teamed with a Maryland National Guard unit to build an access road.

The Border Patrol has an acute need for better roads in the rough, hilly terrain found along the California border. Wider, smoother all-weather roads mean safer, easier access and less time traveling in search of illegal aliens or smugglers. When the Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or other agencies identify a problem the military may be able to help them solve, they let the National Guard Bureau have first crack at coming up with a solution. If they pass on the project, JTF North is given the opportunity to search for volunteer units to take on the mission if it's deemed important to national security, requires the unique capability of the military and can serve the dual purpose of providing training.

If then searches...