Sounds like an excellent plan.
I wonder if we are seeing the beginning of execution of such a plan. I sure hope so. This could satisfy Pelosi with her demands for more tech on the border.
“I wonder if we are seeing the beginning of execution of such a plan.”
The article states that Border Patrol has ordered 2,000 - 3,000 of these buildings, so that is underway.
For decades, they have beaten on a triad of People, Technology and Infrastructure (e.g. barriers, roads) being needed to control the border.
A comprehensive plan to gain full operational control of the border was developed and delivered to Congress, March 2018. It is a five year, $25 billion program, that envisions 1,100 miles of barrier, and more people and technology to control the 850 miles without barrier (as well as the parts with barrier).
All the components would proceed concurrently - people being recruited and trained, while barriers are built, and technology projects are deployed - included extending more intercept ability into remote areas.
It might have taken six months or a year to get the contract awarded to buy these buildings, after six months to a year to refine the plan and settle on the requirements and specifications. Now that the contract is awarded, those buildings will likely roll out over the course of a few years.
The fact (if it is true, as seems likely) that the buildings have been contracted, seems to prove that a course of action is fully underway. These small, but very durable (long duration) buildings, indicate to me small installations, in remote, less developed areas.
Isolated sentries, even if strapped with incredible technology to monitor jack rabbit movements in a hundred square mile box, have limited usefulness, if the ability to intercept is not there with them. Isolated small teams would be vulnerable to squad-sized (10-12 man) drug cartel (or terrorist) elements with AR or AK rifles - or a kid with a quick draw.
That is why I think it more likely to deploy small clusters - to have enough local interception ability, rather than just surveillance.
All those jobs will likely require new positions, expanding the permanent structure of the Border Patrol in remote areas. It will likely be a different kind of job (maybe like Park Rangers), not home with the honey every night. They will probably need exercise equipment and Internet for the officers to live there several days or a week at a time.