In a bid to address border security concerns, the U.S. military has deployed surveillance aircraft, including U-2 spy planes and P-8A Poseidon aircraft, along the U.S.-Mexico border. These aircraft are conducting intelligence gathering and reconnaissance missions, flying the entire length of the border approximately once per day. This initiative aligns with President Trump's national emergency declaration at the border, though sources suggest similar surveillance operations have occurred in the past.
The flights, involving both Air Force and Navy assets, aim to address shared concerns of both nations. While the exact flight paths remain undisclosed, an Air Force spokesperson confirmed the operations, emphasizing respect for Mexican sovereignty and the legality of flying in international airspace.
The U-2 aircraft provides high-altitude, all-weather surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, delivering crucial imagery and signals intelligence. The P-8 Poseidon, a multi-mission maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft, contributes to anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, and intelligence gathering.
Addressing potential privacy concerns, the Pentagon is working to assure the public that the surveillance is not targeting U.S. citizens. Protocols are in place to ensure any inadvertently collected data on Americans is erased. Interestingly, reports from the Cato Institute indicate that the majority of fentanyl trafficking into the U.S. is carried out by American citizens at legal points of entry, rather than by migrants crossing illegally.
