In a Nov. 15, 2018 file photo, a Customs and Border Protection agent rappells from a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter assigned to 2nd Assault Helicopter Battalion, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade during a Fast Rope Extraction System training exercise on Edinburg Airfield, Texas, in support of border operations. (Steven Galimore.U.S. Army)

AUSTIN, Texas – Another 550 active-duty servicemembers made in back to their home stations this week from deployments at the U.S.-Mexico border, U.S. Northern Command officials said Friday.

The 2,600 remaining servicemembers at the southern border are preparing for the Christmas holiday away from their families as they support U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents in California, Arizona and Texas.

“As with all U.S. military units serving at home and around the world every day, some servicemembers will be conducting their assigned missions in support of CBP over the Christmas holiday,” said Col. Cathy Wilkinson, public affairs director for U.S. Army North.

Numbers available Friday showed 700 servicemembers are stationed in Texas, 700 are in Arizona and 1,200 are in California.

Many servicemembers deployed to California and Arizona will have what is referred to as “light duty days” on Dec. 24 and 25, Wilkinson said. “Unit commanders have organized morale-building events such as sports events and shared meals.”

Religious services will be available, and some troops might travel locally to spend time with friends and families, she added. Army Lt. Gen. Jeff Buchanan, U.S. Northern Command’s forward operational commander, will visit servicemembers in California and Arizona on Christmas Day.

The mission along the border began Oct. 31 and is expected to end Jan. 31. At the height of the active-duty deployment, which was initiated by President Donald Trump to “harden” the border in advance of a migrant caravan moving through Central America toward the United States, about 5,900 servicemembers were situated within the three states.

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