Purpose - The Tucson Sector Border Patrol Tactical (BORTAC) Unit is an all volunteer, specially selected and trained law enforcement special operations unit that is at the tip of the spear combating Transnational Threats.
BORTAC provides the Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection and the Chief of the Border Patrol a rapid response tactical element that can respond to and resolve high-risk crisis situations throughout the Continental United States (CONUS) and overseas (OCONUS). Below are the mission capabilities as directed by the OBP Special Operations Headquarters (SOH) and Special Operations Group (SOG).
Direct Enforcement (DE) - small-scale, short term enforcement actions that are conducted by Special Operations in order to: ensure the continuity of National border security; apprehend violators of Federal laws; recover personnel or material; or to negate known and/or anticipated threats to the sovereignty of the United States and the Nation. DE operations are limited in scope and duration and are designed to achieve specific, well defined, and often time-sensitive law enforcement tasks that have strategic or operational significance. These enforcement activities usually occur beyond the range (or operational capabilities) of deployed border security resources and may require low visibility techniques. DE operations may be conducted unilaterally or as part of a larger multi-component effort. As such, SOGHQ employs direct encounter or enforcement tactics. Examples of DE operations include:
1.
High-risk warrant services
2.
Hostage Recovery
3.
Personnel Recovery
4.
Interdiction Operations, rural or urban
Special Reconnaissance (SR) - SR operations involve reconnaissance and surveillance conducted by BORTAC to obtain or verify, by visual observation or other collection methods, data and information concerning the capabilities, intentions and activities of actual or potential criminal or terrorist threats. SR may also be used to collect situational information (Terrain, Weather, Friendly, Threat) of a particular geographic area. SR complements other multidisciplinary collection systems. Special Operations, Border Patrol (SO-BP) uses SR or cooperative assets to gain specific, well-defined, and time-sensitive data of strategic, operational or tactical significance. The tactics and techniques of gathering the intelligence can be obtained through conventional tactical means or through the use of sophisticated discreet methods (low-visibility operations). Examples of such operations include but are not limited to:
1.
Surveillance of hard targets in support of warrants or active investigations
2.
Surveillance of persons suspected of being involved in smuggling or terrorist operations
3.
Surveillance of individuals that are listed in arrest warrants
4.
Surveillance of remote and rugged areas in order to corroborate or deny intelligence of criminal smuggling activity or criminal activities in general
5.
Intelligence gathering requiring special techniques and tactics in support of the DHS, CBP, OBP or other law enforcement agencies
Counter Narcotics (CN) - Measures taken to disrupt, interdict, and destroy illicit drug activities. The significant danger posed to our Nation by this specific threat stems from an extensive and persistent history of violent and organized transnational criminal activity. As such, CN operations are highly specialized and are specifically geared toward the prevention, interdiction, and disruption of illicit drug trafficking crossing U.S. borders. These operations require supportive intelligence and actionable intelligence in order to be effective. BORTAC may also provide assistance in drug interdiction and drug eradication to other law enforcement agencies (foreign or domestic).
Anti-Terrorism (AT) - Activities oriented toward identifying and interdicting any person or material crossing our borders that poses a terrorist threat to the United States. In recent years, terrorist organizations have shown themselves to be diverse, organized, highly capable, and intent on harming the U.S. government and its people. Thus, AT operations are highly specialized and specific to this type of threat. The primary AT mission of SO-BP is to apply such specialized capabilities to preclude, preempt, and resolve terrorist incidents having a nexus to the continuity of U.S. border security. In addition, BORTAC may provide assistance to lead agencies in other jurisdictions (foreign or domestic) in the form of training, personnel, and other support as requested.
Other Activities (OA) - In some cases, BORTAC may be ideally suited to perform an activity not specifically outlined in its mission set. This activity may significantly contribute to the accomplishment of an important objective. OA is any other mission or operation for which BORTAC is ideally suited as directed by the Office of Border Patrol, Customs and Border Protection, the Department of Homeland Security, or Executive Order.
SO-BP creates and constitutes for the Department of Homeland Security a dedicated strategic, operational and tactical reserve to affect and influence the security of the United States and to protect the Nation from transnational criminal and terrorist activities or other detected international threats.
BORTAC is comprised of a Commander, Deputy Commander, Supervisory Border Patrol Agents, and Journeyman level Border Patrol Agents. All BORTAC Operators are required to maintain a high level of physical fitness and firearms proficiency with a myriad of weapons and less lethal launchers. The unit trains often to maintain a high level of read
Counter Narcotics (CN) - Measures taken to disrupt, interdict, and destroy illicit drug activities. The significant danger posed to our Nation by this specific threat stems from an extensive and persistent history of violent and organized transnational criminal activity. As such, CN operations are highly specialized and are specifically geared toward the prevention, interdiction, and disruption of illicit drug trafficking crossing U.S. borders. These operations require supportive intelligence and actionable intelligence in order to be effective. BORTAC may also provide assistance in drug interdiction and drug eradication to other law enforcement agencies (foreign or domestic).
Anti-Terrorism (AT) - Activities oriented toward identifying and interdicting any person or material crossing our borders that poses a terrorist threat to the United States. In recent years, terrorist organizations have shown themselves to be diverse, organized, highly capable, and intent on harming the U.S. government and its people. Thus, AT operations are highly specialized and specific to this type of threat. The primary AT mission of SO-BP is to apply such specialized capabilities to preclude, preempt, and resolve terrorist incidents having a nexus to the continuity of U.S. border security. In addition, BORTAC may provide assistance to lead agencies in other jurisdictions (foreign or domestic) in the form of training, personnel, and other support as requested.
Other Activities (OA) - In some cases, BORTAC may be ideally suited to perform an activity not specifically outlined in its mission set. This activity may significantly contribute to the accomplishment of an important objective. OA is any other mission or operation for which BORTAC is ideally suited as directed by the Office of Border Patrol, Customs and Border Protection, the Department of Homeland Security, or Executive Order.
SO-BP creates and constitutes for the Department of Homeland Security a dedicated strategic, operational and tactical reserve to affect and influence the security of the United States and to protect the Nation from transnational criminal and terrorist activities or other detected international threats.
BORTAC is comprised of a Commander, Deputy Commander, Supervisory Border Patrol Agents, and Journeyman level Border Patrol Agents. All BORTAC Operators are required to maintain a high level of physical fitness and firearms proficiency with a myriad of weapons and less lethal launchers. The unit trains often to maintain a high level of readiness and will respond to any high-risk situation, 24/7. BORTAC has an extensive inventory of weapons and equipment that enable it to handle many crisis situations which may arise within the Tucson Sector or nationwide. In order to effectively prepare for the various assignments that may be presented, BORTAC has specialty teams within its ranks. These include Precision Marksman / Observers, Energetic (Explosive) Breachers, Less Lethal Instructors, WMD and Counter Terrorism specialists, Close Quarters Combat specialists, Patrolling specialists, Rappel Masters, and EMTs.
The process of becoming a BORTAC operator is challenging. The selection process begins at the sector level with interviews, physical fitness assessments and a Pre-Selection Course. The second phase is the BORTAC Operator Training Course (BOTC) in El Paso, TX. Historically, more than 60% of those who make it to the second phase fail to complete it. Immediately following the successful completion of BOTC, the operators are then required to attend and successfully complete the Tucson Sector Advanced Tactical School.
BORTAC provides the Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection and the Chief of the Border Patrol a rapid response tactical element that can respond to and resolve high-risk crisis situations throughout the Continental United States (CONUS) and overseas (OCONUS). Below are the mission capabilities as directed by the OBP Special Operations Headquarters (SOH) and Special Operations Group (SOG).
Direct Enforcement (DE) - small-scale, short term enforcement actions that are conducted by Special Operations in order to: ensure the continuity of National border security; apprehend violators of Federal laws; recover personnel or material; or to negate known and/or anticipated threats to the sovereignty of the United States and the Nation. DE operations are limited in scope and duration and are designed to achieve specific, well defined, and often time-sensitive law enforcement tasks that have strategic or operational significance. These enforcement activities usually occur beyond the range (or operational capabilities) of deployed border security resources and may require low visibility techniques. DE operations may be conducted unilaterally or as part of a larger multi-component effort. As such, SOGHQ employs direct encounter or enforcement tactics. Examples of DE operations include:
1.
High-risk warrant services
2.
Hostage Recovery
3.
Personnel Recovery
4.
Interdiction Operations, rural or urban
Special Reconnaissance (SR) - SR operations involve reconnaissance and surveillance conducted by BORTAC to obtain or verify, by visual observation or other collection methods, data and information concerning the capabilities, intentions and activities of actual or potential criminal or terrorist threats. SR may also be used to collect situational information (Terrain, Weather, Friendly, Threat) of a particular geographic area. SR complements other multidisciplinary collection systems. Special Operations, Border Patrol (SO-BP) uses SR or cooperative assets to gain specific, well-defined, and time-sensitive data of strategic, operational or tactical significance. The tactics and techniques of gathering the intelligence can be obtained through conventional tactical means or through the use of sophisticated discreet methods (low-visibility operations). Examples of such operations include but are not limited to:
1.
Surveillance of hard targets in support of warrants or active investigations
2.
Surveillance of persons suspected of being involved in smuggling or terrorist operations
3.
Surveillance of individuals that are listed in arrest warrants
4.
Surveillance of remote and rugged areas in order to corroborate or deny intelligence of criminal smuggling activity or criminal activities in general
5.
Intelligence gathering requiring special techniques and tactics in support of the DHS, CBP, OBP or other law enforcement agencies
Counter Narcotics (CN) - Measures taken to disrupt, interdict, and destroy illicit drug activities. The significant danger posed to our Nation by this specific threat stems from an extensive and persistent history of violent and organized transnational criminal activity. As such, CN operations are highly specialized and are specifically geared toward the prevention, interdiction, and disruption of illicit drug trafficking crossing U.S. borders. These operations require supportive intelligence and actionable intelligence in order to be effective. BORTAC may also provide assistance in drug interdiction and drug eradication to other law enforcement agencies (foreign or domestic).
Anti-Terrorism (AT) - Activities oriented toward identifying and interdicting any person or material crossing our borders that poses a terrorist threat to the United States. In recent years, terrorist organizations have shown themselves to be diverse, organized, highly capable, and intent on harming the U.S. government and its people. Thus, AT operations are highly specialized and specific to this type of threat. The primary AT mission of SO-BP is to apply such specialized capabilities to preclude, preempt, and resolve terrorist incidents having a nexus to the continuity of U.S. border security. In addition, BORTAC may provide assistance to lead agencies in other jurisdictions (foreign or domestic) in the form of training, personnel, and other support as requested.
Other Activities (OA) - In some cases, BORTAC may be ideally suited to perform an activity not specifically outlined in its mission set. This activity may significantly contribute to the accomplishment of an important objective. OA is any other mission or operation for which BORTAC is ideally suited as directed by the Office of Border Patrol, Customs and Border Protection, the Department of Homeland Security, or Executive Order.
SO-BP creates and constitutes for the Department of Homeland Security a dedicated strategic, operational and tactical reserve to affect and influence the security of the United States and to protect the Nation from transnational criminal and terrorist activities or other detected international threats.
BORTAC is comprised of a Commander, Deputy Commander, Supervisory Border Patrol Agents, and Journeyman level Border Patrol Agents. All BORTAC Operators are required to maintain a high level of physical fitness and firearms proficiency with a myriad of weapons and less lethal launchers. The unit trains often to maintain a high level of read
Counter Narcotics (CN) - Measures taken to disrupt, interdict, and destroy illicit drug activities. The significant danger posed to our Nation by this specific threat stems from an extensive and persistent history of violent and organized transnational criminal activity. As such, CN operations are highly specialized and are specifically geared toward the prevention, interdiction, and disruption of illicit drug trafficking crossing U.S. borders. These operations require supportive intelligence and actionable intelligence in order to be effective. BORTAC may also provide assistance in drug interdiction and drug eradication to other law enforcement agencies (foreign or domestic).
Anti-Terrorism (AT) - Activities oriented toward identifying and interdicting any person or material crossing our borders that poses a terrorist threat to the United States. In recent years, terrorist organizations have shown themselves to be diverse, organized, highly capable, and intent on harming the U.S. government and its people. Thus, AT operations are highly specialized and specific to this type of threat. The primary AT mission of SO-BP is to apply such specialized capabilities to preclude, preempt, and resolve terrorist incidents having a nexus to the continuity of U.S. border security. In addition, BORTAC may provide assistance to lead agencies in other jurisdictions (foreign or domestic) in the form of training, personnel, and other support as requested.
Other Activities (OA) - In some cases, BORTAC may be ideally suited to perform an activity not specifically outlined in its mission set. This activity may significantly contribute to the accomplishment of an important objective. OA is any other mission or operation for which BORTAC is ideally suited as directed by the Office of Border Patrol, Customs and Border Protection, the Department of Homeland Security, or Executive Order.
SO-BP creates and constitutes for the Department of Homeland Security a dedicated strategic, operational and tactical reserve to affect and influence the security of the United States and to protect the Nation from transnational criminal and terrorist activities or other detected international threats.
BORTAC is comprised of a Commander, Deputy Commander, Supervisory Border Patrol Agents, and Journeyman level Border Patrol Agents. All BORTAC Operators are required to maintain a high level of physical fitness and firearms proficiency with a myriad of weapons and less lethal launchers. The unit trains often to maintain a high level of readiness and will respond to any high-risk situation, 24/7. BORTAC has an extensive inventory of weapons and equipment that enable it to handle many crisis situations which may arise within the Tucson Sector or nationwide. In order to effectively prepare for the various assignments that may be presented, BORTAC has specialty teams within its ranks. These include Precision Marksman / Observers, Energetic (Explosive) Breachers, Less Lethal Instructors, WMD and Counter Terrorism specialists, Close Quarters Combat specialists, Patrolling specialists, Rappel Masters, and EMTs.
The process of becoming a BORTAC operator is challenging. The selection process begins at the sector level with interviews, physical fitness assessments and a Pre-Selection Course. The second phase is the BORTAC Operator Training Course (BOTC) in El Paso, TX. Historically, more than 60% of those who make it to the second phase fail to complete it. Immediately following the successful completion of BOTC, the operators are then required to attend and successfully complete the Tucson Sector Advanced Tactical School.
