The U.S. Coast Guard announced today the agency has launched Operation River Wall, a surge deployment aimed at gaining operational control of the Rio Grande River in eastern Texas following the President’s declaration of a national emergency.
According to a Coast Guard statement, the mission began Oct. 9 and will expand the service’s role in controlling, securing, and defending roughly 260 miles of river that form part of the U.S. southern border.
The operation includes the deployment of additional response boats, shallow-draft craft, command and control assets, and tactical teams. The Coast Guard said this marks an unprecedented commitment of its personnel and equipment to the Rio Grande region.
“U.S. Coast Guard is the best in the world at tactical boat operations and maritime interdiction at sea, along our coasts, and in riverine environments,” said Adm. Kevin E. Lunday, acting commandant of the Coast Guard. “Through Operation River Wall, the Coast Guard is controlling the U.S. southern border along the Rio Grande River in eastern Texas.”
The Coast Guard will lead operations in coordination with the U.S. Border Patrol, the Department of War, and U.S. Northern Command. Efforts will focus on river stretches in Cameron and Hidalgo counties, extending to the Gulf of Mexico, the Coast Guard statement said.
The service said Operation River Wall will use its established maritime authorities and interdiction expertise to deter illegal immigration, drug smuggling, and other cross-border threats.
