Troops from Camp Pendleton are heading to the southern border. Marine Corps officials announced the deployment on Thursday, Jan. 23.
Around 500 Marines and sailors from the I Marine Expeditionary Force (IMEF) are being sent out. They will join a larger effort to “secure the border and protect the territorial integrity of the United States,” officials said.
This deployment is part of a mission directed by President Donald Trump. He declared a national emergency at the southern border earlier this week after taking office.
In total, 1,500 service members are being sent to assist. This includes 1,000 Army personnel, alongside the Marines and sailors from Camp Pendleton. Acting Secretary of Defense Robert Salesses said they will “augment troops already conducting enforcement operations.”
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The troops will start by reinforcing the border in San Diego and El Paso, Texas. Aerial support will also be provided to help troop movements.
Previously, these Marines and sailors were prepared to assist with California wildfires. However, they were never activated for that mission.
This isn’t the first time Camp Pendleton troops have been deployed to the border. In 2023, 200 Marines and sailors went to help Customs and Border Protection when pandemic restrictions lifted, and a surge of migrants arrived.
Back in 2018, about 1,100 Camp Pendleton Marines supported the Border Patrol. They helped build barriers, set up temporary housing, and worked on medical teams.
For this mission, the focus remains on physical reinforcement. Troops will support existing operations and help address challenges at the border.
Military planes have already started transporting troops to El Paso, where they will begin their work.
This deployment highlights ongoing efforts to secure the U.S.-Mexico border. As history shows, Camp Pendleton Marines have played a key role in supporting border operations in the past