The U.S. Coast Guard has launched Operation River Wall along the Rio Grande in eastern Texas to support President Donald Trump’s border security mission. This surge operation, announced by the service, aims to combat the influx of drugs into the U.S. and intercept illegal immigrants along the 260-mile stretch of the river that forms part of the U.S. border. The Coast Guard is deploying additional response boats, shallow watercraft, command and control assets, and tactical teams to the area as part of its efforts to address growing security challenges.
The move comes as part of Trump’s broader border security strategy, which includes declaring a national emergency at the border in January and establishing Joint Task Force Southern Border in March to allow troops under the Department of War to assist with the Department of Homeland Security’s border mission. The Coast Guard is working alongside U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Department of War to advance Trump’s border priorities. Admiral Kevin Lunday, acting commandant of the Coast Guard, highlighted the service’s expertise in tactical boat operations and maritime interdiction, stating that Operation River Wall is designed to control the U.S. southern border along the Rio Grande River.
Operation River Wall is part of a larger effort to counter drug trafficking and migration. Since August, the Coast Guard has been conducting Operation Pacific Viper, a joint effort with the Navy aimed at countering the influx of illegal drugs into the U.S. As part of this initiative, the service has confiscated over 100,000 pounds of cocaine in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, averaging around 1,600 pounds of cocaine daily. These efforts are part of Trump’s administration’s broader crackdown on drug cartels and illegal immigration.
The Coast Guard and the Pentagon have also coordinated to bolster the southern border’s security. The Pentagon reported that approximately 8,500 troops are assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border, tasked with responding to security threats along the border. This military presence provides backup to the Coast Guard and Border Patrol, supporting the administration’s mission to secure the border. However, the exact number of Coast Guard personnel and assets involved in Operation River Wall remains undisclosed, as the service cited operational security concerns.