Surveillance and Sustainment at the Southern Border Mission: Implementation of the G-BOSS(E) and Lessons Learned for Large- Scale Combat Operations

*This article was edited with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) tools. Final review and editing were conducted by authorized DoW personnel to ensure accuracy, clarity, and compliance with DoW policies and guidance.

*The contents of this article do not represent the official views of, nor are they endorsed by, the U.S. Army, the Department of War, or the U.S. government.

 

Published 3/2/2026
By First Lieutenant Caleb T. Eyster

In January 2025, Soldiers from the 716th Military Police Battalion departed Fort Campbell, Kentucky, on less than 72 hours’ notice to deploy to the southern border. Organized into task forces, commanders identified equipment availability and the effective positioning of unique military capabilities as major concerns that would affect the success of the Southern Border mission. As mission priorities continued to evolve, concerns centered on each task force’s equipment requirements and the ability to integrate and sustain those capabilities effectively.  The 716th was required to plan for approximately 350 Soldiers from multiple installations to operate within the U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) San Diego Sector. According to statistics, this sector represents only 3% of the land border with Mexico, but it accounts for roughly 22% of illegal crossing apprehensions in FY25 (21.2% in FY24).¹ Planners could have easily become absorbed in managing classes of supply, lodging contracts, Defense Travel System (DTS) extensions, and a fleet of short-term rental (STR) vehicles. While these logistical requirements were essential to mission success, sustaining the Ground-Based Operational Surveillance System (Expeditionary), or G-BOSS(E), proved to be the most challenging and influential sustaining operation for this mission.

Using the G-BOSS(E)

Throughout the mission, 716^th MPs operated a range of detection and monitoring sites—including mobile surveillance camera (MSC) sites, mobile vehicle surveillance systems (MVSS), maintenance sites, and joint patrols with USBP agents and the Mexican military (MEXMIL)—to enhance deterrence and detection capabilities along high-traffic zones of the southern border. Adjustments and improvements were continuous. Listening posts/observation posts (LPs/OPs) were repositioned to close awareness gaps and increase detections and positive outcomes, such as apprehensions by the CBP versus “got-aways.” The 716th also integrated additional equipment into daily patrols and high-risk locations, including Black Hornet unmanned aircraft systems (UASs) and cUAS train-the-trainer opportunities. Swarovski STS-65 spotting scopes, with 20–60x magnification and tripod mounts, were added to static sites, providing significantly greater range and clarity than the binoculars previously used at LPs/OPs. More than a dozen cUAS systems were laterally transferred to support patrols and sites, with most employed daily and several operating around the clock.

The most sustainment and maintenance-intensive addition to the capabilities of the task force was the Ground-Based Operational Surveillance System (Expeditionary) (G-BOSS(E). The G-BOSS(E) provides a reliable long-range high-post observation and detection platform that supports force protection and security operations, enhancing domain awareness and restricting the freedom of movement for individuals and organizations attempting to illegally cross into the United States. The system delivers 360-degree surveillance to detect, classify, track, and report contacts or threats continuously through a fused video-and-sensor data display across three monitors. Its integration into the Southern Border mission reflects a broader U.S. strength: coordinating complementary capabilities with partner agencies. In this case, the G-BOSS(E) augmented USBP systems such as the MSC and MVSS. Staffs and units gained valuable feedback and lessons learned regarding the performance and operational utility of the system.

The system is housed on a High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) trailer and can be set up in roughly an hour. To do this, the task force required specific equipment for transportation, including trailer lighting kits, trailer hitch pins, pintle hook receiver mounts, and reducer sleeves specifically for using a Ram 2500 or a similar three-quarter-ton truck. The G-BOSS(E) has several enhanced sensor capabilities, a six-meter telescopic mast to house the sensors, and a portable control station (PCS) with three monitors as the Soldier interface. 

G-BOSS(E) Challenges

An initial modified table of organization and equipment (MTOE)-fielded platform was provided early to the 716th and positioned at a maritime site. With assistance from a nearby naval installation, it was later configured to operate on shoreline power to reduce generator wear. This setup functioned for more than a month without issue before an overheating risk was identified in the power cords due to the distance between the platform and the building outlet. The standard system runs on a 3kW diesel generator that requires routine refueling and oil changes. Although this G-BOSS(E) was fully capable of detecting potential activity miles out into the Pacific Ocean, it struggled to reliably distinguish civilian vessels from criminal ones. The camera offered multiple modes optimized for different lighting and weather conditions, with resolution ranging for miles to assist Soldiers in identifying details on vessels and their occupants. The system also occasionally tracked wave patterns as movement, but the short-wave infrared (SWIR) sensor was effective in poor weather and able to penetrate dense in the area common to the mornings.

From May to June 2025, the task force fielded seven additional systems and integrated them into sites across the Otay Mountains to counter illicit activity in high-traffic areas and reinforce the visibility of a military presence. Efforts by maintainers and the signal operations (S-6) enabled multiple systems to connect through a topography-based mesh network, allowing equipment to remain secure while giving Soldiers comprehensive visibility of their sectors and reducing manpower requirements at surveillance sites. Two linked networks of three systems each were initially established to expand domain awareness and minimize manning. However, the task force later determined the mesh performed more reliably with only two systems, as one of the three-system networks began experiencing lag after several weeks. Additionally, it was determined operating and controlling the network from the central system proved most effective when three systems were linked, indicating the operator and control node should be positioned in the center for maximum control capabilities. 

Another lesson learned emerged when the harsh mountain trails caused a deficiency during system transport. Although most G-BOSS(E) components are fixed to the trailer or otherwise secured, the container housing the camera system bounced excessively while two platforms were being moved. This led to the SWIR and high definition electro-optical (HDEO) sensors becoming stuck in a zoomed-in position and the laser range finder initially being inoperable during setup. For subsequent deployments, the sensor container was secured inside the cab of the towing pickup using ratchet straps and floor cushioning, a method that proved effective and is recommended for future G-BOSS(E) support in expeditionary environments.

Maintenance Concerns

Throughout the deployment, the task force identified recurring maintenance concerns, noting both routine service needs and patterns in component failures. Issues affected the radar, camera, generator, batteries, and other subsystems. Some were resolved quickly, while others required replacement parts that led to extended capability gaps. Most problems stemmed from user error, generator limitations, or software malfunctions that were not easily corrected through technical manual troubleshooting. Maintenance requirements beyond the operator level frequently created coverage gaps due to the availability and response time of subject matter experts or technicians. These issues included software login or freezing errors, controller input or signal problems affecting camera control, batteries failing to charge properly, the generator not drawing fuel correctly, and radar output faults.

The only maintenance issue that caused a significant delay during initial deployment was a failed video encoder, which resulted in a week-long setback for that G-BOSS(E). Several other systems experienced generator failures severe enough to require full replacement. One generator repeatedly produced electrical faults and inaccurate low-oil and short-circuit alerts; another suffered a broken head gasket; and a third developed an exhaust leak that melted internal wiring. Later in the mission, multiple platforms experienced exhaust blowouts within days of one another. The task force and higher headquarters assessed that the grade may have contributed to carbon buildup, given the generator’s continuous high-power demand and tendency to run hot. Optimal performance required a fuel blend formulated for hotter climates rather than one designed to prevent saltwater corrosion. Although all generators were manually transitioned to the more suitable Jet Propellent 8 [JP-8], various power, technical, and troubleshooting issues continued to emerge across the platform.

An unexpected supply requirement involved wildlife. Although the task force ordered rodent repellant to protect the systems, an animal damaged a heat shield before the supplies arrived, causing part of the shield to fall into the generator exhaust and ignite. Basic repair parts—such as air and oil filters, actuators, starters, and batteries—were needed repeatedly throughout the mission. One mitigation explored to reduce generator strain was the use of a solar-panel power source. However, while the 3kW generators could not fully charge the batteries, the 5kW generator was also unsuitable due to transportation and weight-distribution concerns and its lack of automatic start capability. Solar panels presented their own limitations: their effectiveness at night and in areas with frequent inclement weather. Although they significantly reduced generator load during daylight hours, the system only stored enough power to operate the platform for two to three hours after dark, falling short of sustaining it through the night.

One unresolved sustainment question is how the system components begin to degrade or fail under extreme cold, high humidity, or severe weather conditions. It also remains unclear whether the G-BOSS(E) functions primarily as a detection asset or a deterrent. On one hand, its visible presence may contribute more to deterrence, as the platform can be seen from long distances and may discourage individuals from attempting to cross. On the other hand, the increase in detections with positive outcomes since the system’s initial fielding suggests that its value may lie more in its detection capabilities.

Conclusions

Overall, the mission provided a valuable opportunity for our unit to coordinate with other military installations, USBP, and MEXMIL while making a clear and positive impact on deterring and disrupting illicit activity along the southern border. The fielding and employment of the G-BOSS(E) significantly improved detection capabilities and increased positive outcomes, including apprehensions and turn-backs. In addition to the operational benefits, the introduction of the system allowed maintainers to excel. Several Soldiers developed genuine subject matter expertise and became proficient enough to train leaders and newly arriving personnel.

The performance of these systems highlighted several maintenance and civilian contractor support challenges that would likely emerge if the platform were deployed into a large-scale combat operations (LSCO) environment. From a warfighting functions perspective, the system raised concerns about rapid maneuverability and the ability to reposition without degrading capability. Although mounted on a trailer, the G-BOSS(E) requires extensive setup due to its numerous intricate components, making it too time-consuming to function as a truly mobile early-warning device. The use of solar panels to reduce generator strain further increased the system’s footprint and introduced additional obstacles to quick movement. The platform also depended on relatively flat terrain to avoid tipping hazards, which restricted where it could be positioned to observe high-traffic areas.

The system could serve as a substitute for supporting Fires through its radar capabilities if heavier platforms, such as Strykers, were unavailable for targeting data. However, as the field artillery battery within our task force noted, its limited survivability and mobility make it less suitable for fire-support roles compared to other modular options. Although maintenance demands can be significant, the G-BOSS(E) could still provide value in an LSCO environment by driving intelligence collection and enhancing situational awareness across an area of operations. The platform is also well-suited for protection tasks, including rear-area or perimeter security, or as a replacement for a watchtower at a forward operating base, supply support activity (SSA), ammunition supply point (ASP), or airfield. With its long-range surveillance and detection capabilities, the G-BOSS(E) aligns well with military police and other enabling functions such as area security, physical security operations, and personnel recovery support.