In the Saddle With Operation Ardent Vanguard on the U.S. Border

In California’s harsh border country, Marines and Border Patrol agents turn to horses for the kind of mobility no vehicle can match.

The U.S. military and the U.S. Border Patrol are reaching back to one of the oldest methods of moving through unforgiving country: horseback.

Near El Centro, California, U.S. Marines assigned to Joint Task Force–Southern Border recently joined Border Patrol agents for a horsemanship course as part of Operation Ardent Vanguard. The training sharpened mounted skills while giving both organizations a chance to work together in terrain where vehicles can be limited and persistence matters.

READ MORE: Inside a Military Patrol on America’s Southern Border

Mounted patrols have long played a role in border security, particularly in remote stretches where rocky washes, steep hillsides, and dense vegetation can slow conventional vehicles. Horses allow personnel to cover ground quietly, negotiate difficult terrain, and reach places that might otherwise require long approaches on foot.

According to U.S. Northern Command, the training strengthens cooperation between military and civilian agencies while operating within the military’s narrowly defined support authorities. The goal is improved readiness and better integration with U.S. Customs and Border Protection when unique military capabilities are needed along the southern border.

I learned about the training during an unplanned visit to a private stable in the area. While stopping in, I discovered that local horsemen were supporting preparations connected with the exercise. I observed portions of the preparations but did not participate in the mission or the training itself.

The exercise is a reminder that while technology continues to evolve, some missions still call for time-tested tools. In the harsh country of the Southwest, a good horse remains one of the most effective ways to move through the landscape. In the right circumstances, it’s also one of the most practical.

Jose Campos writes frequently for Soldier of Fortune.