DOW Support to the Southern Border

Air Force Staff Sgt. Gregory Parish, a fuels technician assigned to the 386th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, prepares a liquid oxygen sample for quality analysis in a cryogenic oxygen facility within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Feb. 9, 2026.

Marines assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border walk along the southern border during a patrol in El Centro, Calif., Feb. 4, 2026.

Soldiers assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border operate an M30 bridge erection boat while conducting maritime patrols in the Rio Grande in McAllen, Texas, Jan. 9, 2026.

Marine Corps Pfc. Jacob Matura, a rifleman assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border, prepares concertina wire during barrier reinforcement operations in Yuma, Ariz., Jan. 2, 2026.

Air Force Tech. Sgt. Keenan Herlocker, left, and Staff Sgt. Jessica Ayala adjust antennae heights on a glide slope in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Feb. 5, 2026. The adjustments fine-tuned glide slope angles to meet flight inspection and certification requirements.

Air Force Tech. Sgt. Dalton Ripley cleans struts on a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft during a readiness and dispersal exercise in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Jan. 27, 2026. Throughout the exercise, airmen honed tactics, techniques and procedures, strengthening the service's ability to disperse quickly, establish austere sites and generate combat sorties with a minimal footprint.

Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Nicholas Jackson and Airman 1st Class Samuel Ilet walk away as an Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter takes off in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Dec. 14, 2025.

Soldiers assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border load onto a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter during a National Defense Area signage emplacement operation in Imperial County, Calif., Jan. 6, 2026.

A soldier assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border uses binoculars during a patrol in Yuma, Ariz., Jan. 5, 2026. During the patrol, soldiers installed National Defense Area 5 signs in a recently designated area along the border.

Airmen assigned to the 379th Expeditionary Aerial Port Squadron secure a K-loader for transport in a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft in support of a readiness exercise within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Jan. 21, 2026.

Soldiers assigned to the Florida National Guard conduct presence patrols in Washington, Jan. 16, 2026, in support of the D.C. Safe and Beautiful mission.

Soldiers assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border prepare to patrol the Rio Grande aboard an M30 bridge erection boat in McAllen, Texas, Jan. 9, 2026.

Soldiers assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border load an M30 bridge erection boat in McAllen, Texas, Jan. 9, 2026. The boat is well-suited for areas along the Rio Grande, where terrain limits ground mobility. Joint Task Force Southern Border is supporting U.S. Customs and Border Protection to achieve 100% operational control of the southern border.

A soldier assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border put triple strand concertina wire onto mountainous terrain along the border near El Centro, Calif., Dec. 26, 2025.

Soldiers assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border put triple strand concertina wire onto mountainous terrain along the border near El Centro, Calif., Dec. 26, 2025.

Soldiers assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border put triple strand concertina wire onto mountainous terrain along the border near El Centro, Calif., Dec. 26, 2025.

A soldier assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border interacts with a member of U.S. Customs and Border Protection during a joint patrol in El Centro, Calif., Dec. 31, 2025.

Airmen conduct a controlled explosion within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Dec. 31, 2025. The team practiced a technique used to ignite nearby terrain, making the ground more challenging to pass for approaching adversaries

The USS Roosevelt sails in the Arabian Sea while operating in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Dec. 30, 2025.

Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Aaron Wright takes inventory in the hazardous material storage locker of the USS Mitscher in the Persian Gulf, Dec. 29, 2025.