Mexican Military Confronts JBLM Soldiers At Border: Report

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, WA — Two U.S. Army soldiers from Joint Base Lewis-McChord were caught up in a potentially "volatile situation" at the U.S.-Mexico border near Clint, Texas, earlier this month, according to a CNN report.

The American troops were reportedly patrolling south of the established border fence but north of the Rio Grande when five or six Mexican military personnel rolled up with assault rifles drawn. U.S. Northern Command reportedly told CNN the Mexican military briefly but incorrectly believed the U.S. troops were in Mexican territory.

The incident reportedly occurred April 13 around 12 p.m. PST.

The two U.S. soldiers — who are reportedly part of B Battery, 1st Battalion, 37th Field Artillery Regiment at JBLM — were conducting "border support operations in an unmarked (Customs and Border Protection) vehicle near the southwest border" when they were approached by the Mexican troops, CNN reported.

One of the soldiers reportedly spoke some Spanish to help deescalate the tense situation, and both groups of soldiers eventually returned to their respective territories without conflict. But at least for a moment the situation was precarious, CNN reported.

"The US soldiers followed all established procedures and protocols," including allowing Mexican personnel to seize one of the American soldiers' sidearm "in an attempt to de-escalate a potential volatile situation," Northern Command reportedly stated.

There are currently around 3,000 active duty U.S. military personnel supporting the Department of Homeland Security on the border with Mexico, with an additional 2,000 or so National Guard troops, CNN reported, noting more may be on the way soon.

Click here for the full story from CNN.

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