The Border has had our own MSS for close to a decade. Currently the Army is running some of those trucks in my AOR so that agents can be on the line. Some of the more strategicly important trucks are still maned by Border Patrol Agents.
The Military also run EIT sites and also work some of the cameras in the radio room. The extra man power is a big help as it allows agents to get on the line. We probably would not need as much support from the military if they would stop allowing agents to detail out to other agencies.
“The Border has had our own MSS for close to a decade.”
You are getting a hundred more, between this year and next. They will be upgraded new ones - state of the art.
Like the barrier, this Administration gives the Border Patrol what they want - the best available.
The article seemed to indicate that the MSS mission handover was a major reason for the reduction in Military troops. That made sense to me, but I don’t have direct knowledge.
It makes sense also, that they would backward plan from inauguration day, 2021, in case Democrats took the White House, to make sure that Border Patrol was ready with the full capability needed - because we all know that the next Democrat President will withdraw the Military support right away.
The Administration developed a Comprehensive Plan for Full Operational Control of the Southern Border. It addresses the total package of Infrastructure (Barrier, Roads), Technology and People needed. I have been tracking the wall and technology contracts, but one thing that I have not heard, is how things are going for staffing up Border Patrol.
Are new positions being created and filled?