The deployment involves around 50 Stryker vehicles from the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT), 4th Infantry Division, which arrived at Fort Bliss, Texas, on 5 April 2025. These vehicles provide a significant boost to operational capability, complementing a small number already stationed along the border.
The 2nd SBCT is tasked with supporting CBP across a wide area stretching from Yuma, Arizona to Big Bend National Park, Texas. Units within the brigade coordinate directly with individual Border Patrol sectors, allowing precise placement of military assets and personnel.
“This mission provides an opportunity for Soldiers to put on their kit everyday and conduct military operations,” said Lieutenant Colonel Chad Campbell, Commander of 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment. “We are executing our mission essential tasks, and use of our Strykers is a part of that.”
Approximately 2,400 Soldiers from 2nd SBCT have been mobilised in support of the mission, ensuring both personnel and equipment maintain high levels of readiness. The DoD last deployed Strykers to the southern border in 2012, marking this as a significant return of capability.
Strykers are eight-wheeled, armoured vehicles built for adaptability, featuring a central tire inflation system to handle varied terrain. They can travel at speeds up to 60 mph and cover over 300 miles on roughly 50 gallons of fuel, enabling continuous patrols rather than static positioning.
Each vehicle requires a two-person crew and can carry a nine-man infantry squad. For this mission, they are fitted with the M153 Remotely Operated Weapon Station—also known as CROWS—used exclusively as a camera and sensor system for surveillance.
The M153 system provides clear imagery and precise location data both day and night, with a range of up to two miles. Once movement is detected, information is relayed to CBP agents for appropriate law enforcement action.
The integration of Strykers significantly enhances the 2nd SBCT’s border security operations. The DoD stated the deployment reflects “a strong commitment to both unit readiness and the safety and security of the nation.”
