MCALLEN – The U.S. Department of Defense announced Secretary James Mattis will visit the Rio Grande Valley this week.

According to a press release issued out Tuesday, he will meet with service members to express his support for military operations on the Texas-Mexico border.

Last week, Mattis ordered the department to stop using the initial name of its mission, “Operation Faithful Patriot”, as the deployment of troops continued.

Pres. Trump said up to 15,000 troops could be sent to assist ahead of the caravan’s arrival.