Operation Tripwire Leg 5

Leg 5 — KELP → KLRU El Paso International → Las Cruces International El Paso, Texas → Las Cruces, New Mexico

Las Cruces lies within a harsh and unforgiving desert corridor historically used for both migration and trafficking activity. The region’s vast emptiness makes it ideal for covert movements beneath radar coverage.

The Convoy

Federal agencies now believe the cartel operation involves more than narcotics.

Satellite imagery reveals multiple hidden camps positioned near abandoned desert strips capable of supporting aircraft operations. Intelligence analysts fear advanced weapons may be moving north through remote sectors beyond effective government control.

Your aircraft is tasked with tracking suspected convoy routes across the desert north of El Paso.

The mission quickly deteriorates.

Several vehicles traveling below suddenly scatter into multiple directions as if warned in advance. Moments later, your aircraft receives radar warning indications — someone on the ground is actively tracking you.

Then the first shots are fired.

Tracer rounds streak upward from a canyon floor, forcing your aircraft into a violent evasive climb while federal helicopters rush toward your position.

Over the radio, another patrol crew screams that an entire border outpost has gone dark.

The desert is no longer hiding smugglers.

It is hiding an army.