I have commented fairly frequently on this site for some time, but this is the first time that I have actually started a topic, so bear with me. I originally posted this on the "Armed Forces of the World" thread, but got only one response. It seems that most of the readers of that thread are only interested in theoretical or historical topics. I decided to post here and see what readers concerned with Mexican national security issues had to say.
I firmly believe that the first step in dealing with the issue of illegal immigration from Mexico is to seal the southern border. The US Border Patrol is incapable of doing this alone. The President has announced that he is going to send 6,000 National Guard troops to assist the Border Patrol, but few believe that such a token force, with little or no enforcement ability, could effectively close the border.
I would recommend that an active duty Army division be formed with its sole mission being the monitoring of the border with Mexico. The Army could either create a new division altogether, or perhaps reactivate a deactivated division (for some reason the 9th ID comes to mind as a good candidate).
This new division would be a light infantry or motorized division, since heavy armor wouldn't really be needed. I would include battalions equipped with Strykers and Bradleys to operate in rough terrain, but for the most part infantry and scout units would be deployed to their areas of operation by humvee or truck.
Units could then establish a series of LP/OPs at various points along the border, and squads could conduct patrols looking for infiltrators. Artillery units be mostly unnecessary, but perhaps they could provide illumination if requested (mortar companies could also provide this service if located closely enough).
To get around posse comitatus laws I would recommend that a law enforcement official accompany all Army patrols. There are not enough Border Patrol agents to do this, but the creation of a federal border enforcement task force would allow state, county, and municipal law enforcement officers to enforce American immigration laws. Such task forces exist all over the nation for various purposes.
I would also include a rapid reaction unit of perhaps battalion or even company strength that could respond quickly to areas of sudden activity. This unit could be deployed by helicopter, or perhaps there could even be an airborne (parachute) company that could be dropped into remote area by aircraft (I might be dreaming here, but I think perhaps airborne qualified troops should be included in this mission).
This new division could be augmented by regular Army and National Guard brigades that could be rotated into the region every couple of months or so. I would also include Marine units and Navy SEAL teams so that everyone would get a slice of the pie. Air Force squadrons could fly recon patrols using their FLIR pods to spot illegals, and Air Force forward air controllers could accompany some ground patrols. Air Force pararescue operators could be available for search and rescue missions.
The creation of such a division would be expensive, but since it would not include tanks or artillery, it would not be cost as much as most regular Army divisions. Soldier assigned to this unit would have to undergo special training, but I don't think that this would be that big of a deal. Service along the border would be somewhat dull and monotonous, but it would be safer than serving in Iraq or Afghanistan, and I have to believe that many soldiers would rather serve stateside if give the option. Perhaps veteran soldiers nearing the end of their commitment would opt to serve in this unit.
Anyways, just a thought that I have been kicking around. I am anxious to read what you guys think about this. I served as a grunt in a National Guard unit in the 1990's and have served as a municipal police officer for the last twelve years, so I am the first to admit that I don't know a lot about Army operations higher than battalion level, but I have to believe that the Army could effectively seal the border relatively quickly.
Lemme have it.
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