What we need on the southern border is veterans supplied with the following equipment:
M113 armored personnel carriers,
M60 general purpose machine guns (the Hog),
M2 heavy machine guns (Ma Deuce),
M18 Claymore anti-personnel mines,
M16 anti-personnel mines (Bouncing Betty),
M224 60mm mortar
M225 81mm mortar
Problem resolution within a week
We could use 'some' of that but it's even simpler really. All it would take is for each border County Sheriff to call out a posse. Volunteers would show up, many/most of us with our own personal gear such as clothing, binoculars and surveillance gear, food, weapons as needed, tents and such. We would need comms, or protocols such as merely assigning 4 of us to work with each Deputy. And a clearly defined Mission such as Repel Boarders, not detain and process, Repel Boarders.
In muh Texas for instance the Sheriff could ask for Veteran CC holders to volunteer, we are already inspected and licensed by the State and as Vets we have sworn the Oath. We swore our Oaths when it meant something, we believe in the Rule of Law and understand we follow Lawful orders only. Thousands of us would volunteer if asked.
We wouldn't need much beyond simple Boots on the ground. We would need 'some' heavier firepower in case the cartels fought us because they DO have heavy weapons, yeah. So a few things would be nice, but we don't need mines or mortars, we'd be killing cows and javelinas and innocents.
Boots and the Mark One Eyeball on the ground, with 'some' backup.
https://files.catbox.moe/h3rhfy.png
The OP is Airborne, as am I, and I was never trained to Take POWs, only repel or dispose, and that is what I trained my men to do also, repel or dispose....
And Javalinas re probably some good eats, so it's kind of a good deal for Morale, and the cooks...
Yup, mesquite + Javalina + pogie Bait....
Yum yum....
Javelinas are tasty, true enough. One of my most fond memories of being in USAF was when we'd have to be choppered out to the missile sites and the pilots would fly through the mountain passes then drop down low below radar and fly along chasing javelina thru the desert, dodging suguaro cactus. Nose down tail up doors open and hanging by your straps, it was great fun.
Morale wouldn't be a problem here, still don't need mines or mortars tho.
Yeah, I love the Memories of the Huey and Blackhawk rides....
Best Huey stop was a Nose Up to stop the forward Motion, and super soft landing on the skids, we all jump out three steps forward and drop, the bird leaves like his ass was on fire.....
Blackhawk, middle of the Night, pilot is booking it, must've been doing like 100 mph, map of the earth, we arrive at the DZ, and burn in to a jolting stop, both front wheels buried in the sand, we all simply slid out on our butts and went prone, when he left it felt like we were going to eat Sand for the next week....
Fun times....
Agreed, no Mortars, Claymores are still a Maybe....
https://files.catbox.moe/dyn65q.jpg