Soldiers from the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division and 10th Mountain Division are making preparations for a potential deployment to the southern border as part of a second wave of active-duty forces, according to two US officials.
While official orders have not been issued yet, one official mentioned that troops from a brigade within the 82nd Airborne could be deployed as early as next week.
The soldiers from the 82nd Airborne, stationed at Fort Liberty in North Carolina, belong to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, currently designated as the primary immediate response force within the division. The exact number of soldiers from this unit, which typically consists of 3,000 to 5,000 troops, and those from the 10th Mountain Division based at Fort Drum in New York, who will be sent to the border remains uncertain.
This development follows the recent deployment of 1,500 soldiers and Marines to the border in response to a national emergency declaration by President Donald Trump. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that deportation flights had commenced, sharing images of migrants boarding a military aircraft.
The initial wave of deployment involved sending 1,000 soldiers, primarily military police from various bases across the country. The decision to deploy the 82nd Airborne, known for its rapid response capabilities and extensive operational history, signifies a significant shift in messaging. The division is renowned for its ability to mobilize within hours of receiving orders and has been involved in numerous critical missions worldwide.
The Immediate Response Force (IRF) 1, currently assigned to the 82nd Airborne, is capable of deploying to any location globally within 24 hours. This force was last activated on New Year’s Eve in 2019 during heightened tensions with Iran and also played a crucial role in responding to the rapid fall of Kabul as the Taliban seized control in Afghanistan in 2021.
