DOW Support to the Southern Border

Army Spc. Victor Gonzalez, assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border, scans the terrain during an exfiltration mission in Arizona, April 4, 2026. The task force, under U.S. Northern Command, provides aerial support to the Border Patrol to protect U.S. territorial integrity.

Members of the 98th Flying Training Squadron display the U.S. Air Force Academy class colors during a jump demonstration at Davis Airfield in Colorado Springs, Colo., April 4, 2026. Air Force Lt. Col. Nick Burke assumed command of the squadron, which provides parachute training to cadets at the academy, from Lt. Col. Jonathan Vaage.

An Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft refuels an F-35A Lightning II aircraft during Operation Epic Fury in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility April 5, 2026.

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Cassandra Ortiz, assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border, sets up concertina wire during barrier reinforcement operations to prevent unauthorized crossings in Nogales, Ariz., April 6, 2026. U.S. Northern Command is working with the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection to protect the territorial integrity of the U.S. southern border.

Air Force Staff Sgt. Omar Elizondo prepares to launch a weather balloon from the USS John P. Murtha in the Pacific Ocean, April 7, 2026. The John P. Murtha is underway in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations supporting NASA's Artemis II mission to retrieve the crew and spacecraft following their return to Earth and splashdown in the Pacific.

Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Joshua Matias, 2nd Bomb Wing command chief, lights a candle during a chief recognition ceremony at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., April 3, 2026. Each candle on the candelabra represents a rank in the enlisted force structure.

An Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker prepares to refuel an Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft during Operation Epic Fury in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, April 5, 2026.

Air Force Airman Samuel Mulleavey, a non-destructive inspection apprentice assigned to the 86th Maintenance Squadron, performs a magnetic particle inspection at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, April 7, 2026.

An Air Force loadmaster assigned to the 120th Airlift Wing observes cargo bundles descending over the Vigilante Drop Zone during an aerial delivery training mission near Power, Mont., April 6, 2026. The training highlighted the Montana Air National Guard's ability to deliver critical supplies into remote environments where traditional airfields are unavailable.

An airman assigned to the 60th Air Mobility Wing hugs a loved one on the flight line at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., upon returning home from a deployment, April 2, 2026. The return marked the completion of a mission that strengthened operational readiness and reinforced the unit's commitment to supporting worldwide operations.

An Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft during Operation Epic Fury in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, April 2, 2026.

Hawaii National Guard airmen help with flood debris removal efforts in Waialua, Hawaii, at the request of civil authorities, April 3, 2026.

A North American Aerospace Defense Command F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 18th Fighter Interceptor Squadron receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker while flying with other aircraft near King Salmon, Alaska, April 2, 2026. After responding from King Salmon Airport, F-16 Fighting Falcons practiced intercepting the KC-135 and other fighter aircraft, demonstrating how Alaskan NORAD Region maintains a variety of response options throughout the Alaskan theater of operations to detect, deter and defeat potential threats to U.S. and Canadian airspace.

U.S. Air Force Academy cadets march in formation during the annual Founders' Day Parade at the academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., April 1, 2026.

An Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft refuels from a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft during Operation Epic Fury over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, April 2, 2026.

An Air Force E-3 Sentry aircraft refuels from a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft during Operation Epic Fury over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, March 31, 2026.

Airmen carry a simulated casualty as part of a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats defense exercise at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., March 30, 2026.

An Air Force A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft assigned to the 357th Fighter Generation Squadron deploys flares during a demonstration for local civic leaders and airmen in Gila Bend, Ariz., March 27, 2026.

An Air Force B-52 Stratofortress aircraft refuels from a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft during Operation Epic Fury over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, March 26, 2026.

Hawaii National Guardsmen help with flood debris removal in Waialua, Hawaii, March 31, 2026. Guardsmen also assisted with clearing mud and providing potable water to the community.