FORT CAMPBELL, KY (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Beginning in early October, approximately 500 soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division Headquarters and other enabling units from Fort Campbell will deploy to the U.S.-Mexico border “to secure and protect the territorial integrity of the United States.”
The 101st will take over the role of Joint Task Force headquarters from the 10th Mountain Division and will oversee units of all U.S. service branches operating along the border, according to a press release from the 101st.
The unit will operate under the direction of U.S. Northern Command, which is working in conjunction with the Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection. Units from multiple installations across the Joint Force will fall under the 101st Headquarters, while physically located in various locations along the southern United States.
“For 83 years, the soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division have stood ready to answer the nation’s call,” Maj. Gen. David Gardner, commanding general, 101st and Fort Campbell, said in the release. “Now as we prepare to secure and protect our country’s territory, we look forward to continuing the important work of U.S. Northern Command and the 10th Mountain Division and working with the interagency and other partners in the region.”
Three other major 101st units are currently deployed:
- 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, “Wings of Destiny,” is with CENTCOM in the Middle East.
- 2nd Mobile Brigade Combat Team, “Strike,” is in Europe.
- 101st Sustainment Brigade, “Lifeliners,” is partially deployed to the Mexico border.
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