Members of an El Paso Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC) train in preparation for deployment to Iraq.
BORTACs are the Border Patrol's national level special weapons and tactics (SWAT) teams, otherwise known as National Special Response Teams.
BORTAC's role has steadily increased in scope from being a prison riot control unit to where it is now, with a role comparable to some military special operations forces.
BORTAC is capable of counter smuggling, counter terrorism, high risk warrant servings, VIP protection, counter narcotics, foreign internal defense training operations, maritime operations, airmobile operations and recconnaissance.
BORTAC units have deployed on operations worldwide.
BORTAC has a full-time unit based at El Paso, Texas, with other part-time members on deployment overseas.
