Trump’s Jet Ski Border Blitz Stuns Smugglers

Coast Guard deploys tactical jet skis to secure the U.S.-Mexico maritime border, delivering a decisive win against smuggling and illegal crossings under President Trump’s border crackdown.

Story Highlights

U.S. Coast Guard launches all-black tactical jet skis for border interdiction and rescue along the Southwest Border.
Training exercises conducted January 14-15, 2026, offshore San Diego demonstrate high-speed maneuvers and coastal insertions.
Program integrates with Force Design 2028 and CG-RAPTOR, building on Navy Special Warfare jet ski precedents.
Supports Trump administration priorities by enhancing shallow-water enforcement where large cutters fail.
Coincides with record Coast Guard recruitment and Operation Pacific Viper’s 200,000+ pounds of cocaine seizures.

Tactical Jet Skis Target Smugglers

U.S. Coast Guard personnel conducted tactical jet ski training on January 14-15, 2026, offshore San Diego, California. These all-black personal watercraft enable high-speed pursuits, formation maneuvers, and amphibious landings in shallow waters near the U.S.-Mexico border. Traditional cutters struggle in these near-shore environments, making jet skis essential for intercepting drug boats and migrant smugglers. The Coast Guard emphasizes these are specialized tactical models, not commercial jet skis, with modifications for military operations. This deployment directly bolsters President Trump’s border security mandate after years of open-border failures.

Modernization Under Force Design 2028

The jet ski initiative falls under Force Design 2028, the Coast Guard’s comprehensive modernization plan for vehicles and autonomous systems. The Office of Rapid Response and Prototyping (CG-RAPTOR), active for 150 days by January 2026, accelerates this technology adoption. Navy Special Warfare Command’s long-term jet ski use validates the approach for coastal special operations. Coast Guard leadership authorized deployment through DHS priorities, focusing on Southwest Border security. Rescue Swimmer Stan Team and Coast Guard Auxiliary first utilized them in 2024, now expanding to interdiction roles.

Dual Mission: Interdiction and Rescue

Tactical jet skis serve dual purposes in drug interdiction and lifesaving missions. Training includes operations in poor visibility and large waves, enabling rapid coastal insertions. This addresses limitations of larger vessels in shallow areas frequented by smugglers. Operation Pacific Viper, launched August 2025, seized over 200,000 pounds of cocaine by February 5, 2026, highlighting intensified counter-narcotics efforts. The program enhances flexibility for border communities and Coast Guard personnel, increasing enforcement presence where illegal activity thrives. Experts note jet skis provide quick interception unmatched by traditional platforms.

The Coast Guard markets the jet skis with the slogan: “They say money can’t buy happiness, but have you ever seen a sad person on a Jet Ski?” This humorous approach coincides with fiscal 2025’s record active-duty enlistments, the highest since 1991, boosting recruitment amid modernization.

Strategic Victory for Border Security

President Trump’s administration emphasizes border enforcement, and these jet skis provide tangible maritime capability against cartels exploiting shallow waters. Unlike adversaries like Iran and Russia, who arm jet skis for combat, U.S. forces prioritize interdiction and rescue under constitutional authority. CG-RAPTOR sets precedent for rapid tech integration, potentially influencing state and local agencies. Operational details remain limited as training progresses, but the initiative aligns with negative net migration in 2025 and over 2.5 million departures. Conservatives cheer this common-sense upgrade restoring operational control.