[BeauBo]

This might also be part of the big crackdown on drug smuggling, that the Military has stepped up during the pandemic.

These types of (similar) Mobile Surveillance Systems (MSS) are being purchased for Border Patrol to own and operate on their own, in just one of several large Technology Program rollouts that are now happening - in addition to the big Wall System construction Program. Each of these systems can monitor several miles out. Border Patrol is getting about 100 more of their own this year, and another 100 or so next year. So the Military may just be covering the mission, until Border Patrol can stand up their own organic capability.

These systems can move within hours, as smuggler routes shift, setting up new ambushes to catch them. Not being tied to the border itself, they can create a deep band of detection and tracking, many miles in from the border itself, monitoring trails, choke points, supply points or meeting points.

[jmaroneps37]

Media, “And we were hoping he would forget that! Waa waa waa.”

[Sacajaweau]

Gee...like we didn’t know this would be a component of the wall.

[eartick]

Excellent. This combined with boots with proper ROEs is just as good as having a wall.

[Sacajaweau]

Militarized?? I don’t see any troops with machine guns and dogs.

[Mr. K]

Because duhhhhhhhhhhhhhh… maybe criminals would want to take advantage of this current situation and step up smuggling over the border?

(not you BeauBo - the article author)

[Flavious_Maximus]

“...as cost more than $500 million since October 2017”

That’s peanuts compared to the 35 million illegals in this county that have their hand inside the welfare jar, anchor babies and all.

Along with cameras, we should place a few Gatling guns on a turret. Just the sight of it may be enough to keep a few of the invader leaches away.

[yldstrk]

Wuhan virus spreading through the immigration system and the meatpacking plants?

[BobL]

“The Defense Department also has reallocated nearly $10 billion to building Trump’s border wall.”

Where, at Mar Lago or something? If it’s at the Mexican border, then it’s the “Southern Border Wall”.

[BobL]

“Southern border expert David Shirk...”

Does his business card say that, when the article later says he’s just a political science professor? Or is this an attempt to give him some credibility against Trump?

[chief lee runamok]

""The U.S. border is the most militarized peacetime border in the world, and the border is more militarized today than it ever was in the entire history of our two countries.""

I guess the Israeli border doesn't count.

[BobL]

“The U.S. border is the most militarized peacetime border in the world”

How about Israel/Syria, or China/Russia? Yet another claim made WITHOUT evidence. Two soldiers every mile is not exactly WW3.

[moovova]

Ominously, a waste of money when the USA should be buying a ventilators for every US citizen...maybe floating a US Navy hospital ship to Kansas.

/s

[ConservativeInPA]

The Trump administration has been quietly adding military surveillance cameras at the U.S.-Mexico border in response to the coronavirus pandemic, though fewer people appear to be crossing illegally.

Is it me? When NBC reports something and uses the words, "military surveillance", I get the feeling they are doing a hit job on Trump. As if military surveillance is something ominous or evil. While I have absolutely no problem with the military being on our border, the Rat base does. So this was written to upset Rats.

As for fewer people appear to be crossing illegally, perhaps that has something with the added military and cameras, and oh yeah, the flu.

[BobL]

“That’s despite the U.S. having the most cases in the world by far.”

Perhaps because we also have the most people of any country that is attempting to provide accurate numbers. Look at the case-rates in Europe - pretty much the same as here, and much higher death rates there.

[TangoLimaSierra]

Anyone remember the border cameras from years ago? We could watch anytime and even alert BP if we saw border crashers. I did a couple of times when some came across on a rafts. I was damned cool.
Thousands of people working for nada for the BP.

[Lurker]

This warms my heart.

L

[KarlInOhio]

It wasn’t that long ago the Democrats were demanding a “virtual” border wall instead of a physical one. This is what they were trying to get instead of a fence. Now that it is being built too, instead of just being unbuilt future plans, they no longer want it. What they really want is no border enforcement at all, but they know they can’t sell that.

[PAR35]

Associate Professor David Shirk

Apparently the Associate Professor is ignorant of history. They ought to make him take a history course or two. Most of the rest of us have heard of the Maginot Line.

[trebb]

Gosh - surprise that he’s following the plan...like saying there’s no need to get that door lock fixed, there’s only a few known burglars robbing homes around here...

[1Old Pro]

Nice job on the border, keeping all promises made.