DOW Support to the Southern Border

Marine Corps Lance Cpls. Samuel Sosa, left, and Sebastian Robles, assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border, operate a boom lift to replace concertina wire during barrier reinforcement operations in Nogales, Ariz., May 15, 2026. U.S. Northern Command is working side-by-side with the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection to provide unique military capabilities to protect the territorial integrity of the U.S. southern border.

Marine Corps Lance Cpls. Allen Tomb, left, and Dylan Lindsey, assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border, weld prefabricated brackets onto the southern barrier during reinforcement operations in Naco, Ariz., May 20, 2026. U.S. Northern Command is working side-by-side with the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection to provide unique military capabilities to protect the territorial integrity of the U.S. southern border.

Marines assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border extend concertina wire for barrier reinforcement operations in Naco, Ariz., May 20, 2026. U.S. Northern Command is working side-by-side with the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection to provide unique military capabilities to protect the territorial integrity of the U.S. southern border.

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Luke Smith, assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border, provides security along the southern barrier as part of barrier reinforcement operations in Nogales, Ariz., May 15, 2026. U.S. Northern Command is working side-by-side with the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection to provide unique military capabilities to protect the territorial integrity of the U.S. southern border.

Marines assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border stand in a line to board a UH-60 Black Hawk during a simulated casualty evacuation exercise near San Ysidro, Calif., May 20, 2026. U.S. Northern Command is working side-by-side with the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection within narrowly defined authorities to provide unique military capabilities to protect the territorial integrity of the U.S. southern border.

Marine Corps Lance Cpls. Rey Gonzalez, left, and Terence Hall, assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border, patrol along the U.S.-Mexico border near El Centro, Calif., May 21, 2026. U.S. Northern Command is working side-by-side with the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection within narrowly defined authorities to provide unique military capabilities to protect the territorial integrity of the U.S. southern border.

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Carter Gil, assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border, launches a Skydio X10 small unmanned aerial system to maintain situational awareness along the U.S.-Mexico border near El Centro, Calif., May 21, 2026.

A U.S. Air Force Academy cadet participates in the class of 2026's graduation parade at Stillman Parade Field in Colorado Springs, Colo., May 27, 2026. The parade marks the transfer of Cadet Wing leadership to the class of 2027.

An Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft flies in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility after refueling, May 21, 2026.

Air Force Staff Sgt. Dominic Briggs guides a GBU-12 into place during the 96th Test Wing and 33rd Fighter Wing Sortie Generation Competition at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., May 21, 2026. The event brought maintenance units from both wings together to test technical expertise, speed and safety.

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft refuels from a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, May 21, 2026.

An Air Force B-52 Stratofortress leads a formation of a B-1 Lancer, A-10 Warthog, F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-18 Hornet, F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning during the Hyundai Air and Sea Show in Miami, May 23, 2026. The event underscored the Air Force's capability to project force anywhere and anytime.

An Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 180th Fighter Wing flies over Canada, May 20, 2026.

Air Force Staff Sgt. Richard Maria Perez performs a low crawl during Pacific Air Forces' ninth annual Advanced Combat Skills Assessment Competition at Northwest Field, Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, May 21, 2026.

Air Force pararescuemen assigned to the 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron conduct high-altitude low-opening parachute jumps from a C-130 Hercules near Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Feb. 13, 2025. The technique minimizes risk to supplies, equipment or personnel as they are air-dropped from high altitudes over enemy airspace.

Air Force pararescuemen assigned to the 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron conduct high-altitude low-opening parachute jumps from a C-130 Hercules near Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Feb. 13, 2025. The technique minimizes risk to supplies, equipment or personnel as they are air-dropped from high altitudes over enemy airspace.

Airmen assigned to the U.S. Air Force Band Ceremonial Brass perform during a Freedom 250 event in Washington, May 17, 2026.

Air Force Capt. Nick "Laz" Le Tourneau, commander of the F-22 Raptor Aerial Demonstration Team, performs an aerial demonstration at Air Dot Show Tour Fort Lauderdale, Fla., May 9, 2026.

Air Force Capt. Nick "Laz" Le Tourneau, pilot and commander of the F-22 Raptor Aerial Demonstration Team, performs an aerial demonstration at Air Dot Show Tour Fort Lauderdale, Fla., May 9, 2026.

Army Spc. Kincaide Bunfill, assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border, uses binoculars to monitor the barrier near Bisbee, Ariz., as part of Operation Strike Kraken, May 7, 2026. Monitoring cartel scout sites, maintaining a ready posture to defeat enemy drones and ensuring shared communications with U.S. Customs and Border Protection are the operation's key tasks.