US special forces making ‘unique contribution’ on Southern Border: Hegseth
Hegseth made his comments as the keynote speaker kicking off SOF Week in Tampa.
Leaders assigned to U.S. Special Operations Command greet the Honorable Pete Hegseth, U.S. Secretary of Defense, at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, May 6, 2025. (U.S Air Force photo by Senior Airman Zachary Foster)
SOF WEEK — US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth today stated that US special operations forces (SOF) are actively supporting multi-agency efforts to secure the southern border.
In his keynote address on the first day of the SOF Week conference in Tampa, Fla., Hegseth said that SOF are making a “unique contribution” in this particular area of operation.
Speaking to delegates, including Gen. Bryan Fenton, Commanding General of the US Special Operations Command (SOCOM), Hegseth proclaimed, “Border security equals national security and we’re gonna get 100 percent operational control of our southern border.
“SOF is making a unique contribution there as well,” he said, later adding “Our longstanding relationship with our partners in Mexico is crucial in supporting NORTHCOM and securing our border —something that is ongoing today.” (Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, this week said she rejected a recent offer from US President Donald Trump to deploy the US military in her country.)
However, Hegseth did not provide any further details regarding US SOF units participating in operations to secure the border.
On March 20, Hegseth authorized US military personnel to conduct “enhanced” detection and monitoring tasks in support of US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), according to a NORTHCOM statement published at the time.
“These additional authorities enable service members to conduct mobile ground-based monitoring support to detect, track, and monitor movements of suspected illegal activity using military tactical vehicles or foot patrols within zones assigned by CBP. They also allow Department of Defense (DoD) ground mobility support to transport CBP personnel using military tactical vehicles along patrol routes,” the NORTHCOM statement added.
NORTHCOM could only confirm the US Army’s 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team could be “more effectively utilized by Joint Task Force – Southern Border (JTF-SB)” in support of the CBP. There was no direct mention of support from USSOCOM.
Breaking Defense approached SOCOM to discuss the role of SOF along the southern border. However, an official spokesperson for the Tampa-based command was unable to provide any further details regarding special operations in the area of operation.
Finally, Hegseth stressed homeland defense is also much more of a global mission for the DoD, stretching far beyond just the southern border.
“In the last six months, SOF has eliminated over 500 terrorists who threaten our homeland directly. And alongside international SOF partners, your team has captured over another 600 terrorists,” he concluded.
