US Border Patrol San Diego Sector Regional Emergency And Crisis Team REACT

The US Border Patrol (BP) is the federal law enforcement agency responsible for securing the US borders against illegal immigration. To effectively accomplish its mission the country has been divided into sectors. Each sector is responsible for conducting operations within its assigned boundaries. To better accomplish their mission, many sectors have formed specialized sub-units form within the ranks of their assigned personnel. These units include some of the following: mounted patrol, marine patrol, aviation, rescue, tracking, bike patrol, and tactical units.

The San Diego Sector's tactical unit is known as the Regional Emergency and Crisis Team, or REACT. First formed in 1984, REACT is tasked with performing a number of special enforcement missions within the San Diego Sector. These tasks include the following: controlling civil disturbances, high risk warrant service, deterring border violence, VIP protection duties, anti-narcotics operations, conducting search and rescue (SAR) operations ( in 1998 a specialized SAR unit, known as BORSTAR was formed for this task), and station/area Augmentation. In addition the REACT units is also tasked with training on the M-4 carbine and conducting training for probationary Agents on Officer Awareness.

A M-4 carbine armed REACT operator cautiously approaches a target during a training exercise.

Before an Agent can be assigned to the REACT unit, the new recruit is required to successfully complete a stringent physical training (PT) test, oral interview, and a two week REACT Basic Training Academy. After completing the Basic Academy, all members are then required to attend an outside agency's SWAT/tacical training course in order to fulfill their probationary requirements. In addition to the basic training they receive, team members are also trained in the static tower and helicopter rappelling, chemical agent dispersal, precision shooting, special weapons and emergency medicine.

A heavily armed team of REACT operators stacks outside of a trailer during a routine training exercise.

REACT members are required to maintain their basic REACT physical fitness levels, along with their specialty and firearms qualifications. All active REACT personnel are tested in these areas on a quarterly basis. The team, which is composed of 30 personnel, is currently operating out of the San Diego Sector's Campo Station. REACT personnel normally wear Woodland pattern BDU's for training, and OG-107 uniforms, Kevlar ballistic helmets, elbow and kneepads, eye protection, Nomex balacalva and flight gloves, and a customized ballistic/assault vest when conducting an actual operation. Boots depend on the individual operators personal preference.

REACT, like other tactical units is authorized to use weapons that are not normally available to other BP personnel. Agents assigned to the unit have access to Colt M-4A1 5.56mm carbines, HK MP-5 series of SMGs, specially modified Remington 870 shotguns, Baretta Model 96D pistols, HK USP40 (INS variant) pistols, SIG-Sauer P229(DAO) pistols, and Remington 700 .308 and Remington M40 XBKS sniper rifles, and other weapons. Less than lethal weapons include various diversion/ distraction devices (flash bangs), riot control/chemical agents, and ASP collapsible batons.

Photo Gallery
A MP-5 armed REACT operator kneels while covering fellow team members during a training.	MP-5 armed REACT operators prepare to enter a structure during a training exercise.

A MP-5 armed REACT operator covers his teammates as they approach a trailer during a training exercise.

REACT opertors fast rope from a UH-1N Twin Huey during training.

*Note*

All photos and info were obtained from the San Diego BP Sector Web Site