Joint Task Force – Southern Border Public Affairs
FORT BLISS, Texas – Joint Task Force – Southern Border (JTF-SB), operating under U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) in support of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), successfully defended U.S. military personnel and CBP partners by mitigating three adversarial unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) using directed energy capabilities this week.
During the operation, which spanned the late-night hours of August 25 and 26, JTF-SB personnel used the Army Multipurpose High Energy Laser (AMP-HEL) system to engage and defeat three hostile UAS, determined to be such based on their use in direct support of activities posing a physical threat to U.S. military personnel and CBP partners.
“The successful defeat of these adversarial drones is a direct testament to the readiness, vigilance, and technological edge of the JTF,” said Maj. Gen. Curtis Taylor, commander of JTF-SB. “Cartel networks are increasingly employing unmanned aircraft systems to facilitate illicit human-smuggling and actively spy on our personnel and law enforcement partners. By integrating layered countermeasures alongside advanced directed-energy capabilities like this laser system, we have made it clear that we will not tolerate hostile surveillance. We also greatly appreciate the support of our Mexican Army partners as we work together to combat this threat to the border region.”
These operations mark the first use of the AMP-HEL system to defeat cartel-linked drones on the Southern Border.
Approximately 8,000 service members are currently deployed under JTF-SB across difficult terrain spanning 1,954 miles. Since assuming the mission in March 2025, JTF-SB forces have reinforced hundreds of miles of the southern border with wire obstacles; conducted tens of thousands of detection and monitoring patrols, including in partnership with the Mexican military; executed thousands of observation flights; and cleared vegetation in remote areas. These operations have enhanced CBP’s situational awareness, accelerated response times, and bolstered overall efforts to disrupt cartel-led illegal activity at the southern border.
“We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our CBP partners to secure this border, protect our service members, and disrupt these criminal organizations at every turn,” said Taylor.
