DOW Support to the Southern Border

Soldiers assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border supporting Operation Ardent Vanguard attach a sling load to the hook below a CH-47 Chinook helicopter at Biggs Army Airfield, Fort Bliss, Texas, Aug. 26, 2026. Service members assigned to the task force provide unique military capabilities to protect the territorial integrity of the U.S. southern border.

Army Sgt. Benjamin Cordova and Spc. Daniel Gutierrez, both assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border supporting Operation Ardent Vanguard, operate a C100X monitoring drone during low-light conditions near Eagle Pass, Texas, Aug. 20, 2026. The aerial monitoring supports efforts to detect, monitor and deter unlawful crossings into the United States.

Mississippi National Guardsmen assigned to Joint Task Force District of Columbia patrol the Thomas Jefferson Memorial in Washington, Aug. 24, 2026. About 4,300 guardsmen are supporting the D.C. Safe and Beautiful mission, helping the Metropolitan Police Department ensure the safety of residents, commuters and visitors.

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Benjamin Gonzales, a motor vehicle operator assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border in support of Operation Ardent Vanguard, helps install concertina wire on a secondary expeditionary barrier in Nogales, Ariz., Aug. 19, 2026.

Army Spc. Rebecca Brunson, a South Carolina National Guard soldier assigned to Joint Task Force District of Columbia supporting the D.C. Safe and Beautiful mission, hands out stickers to children visiting the National Mall in Washington, D.C., Aug. 20, 2026.

Army Spc. Domenic Hruby, assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border, reinforces a barrier by welding "crow's feet" rods to its upper edge at a national defense area near Santa Teresa, N.M., Aug. 12, 2026. U.S. Northern Command is working 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.

Sailors check for foreign objects on the flight deck of the littoral combat ship USS Cooperstown as the ship transits the Gulf of America, July 4, 2026. The ship was supporting efforts to protect the territorial integrity of the U.S. southern border.

Soldiers assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border place concertina wire on top of barriers at National Defense Area 2 near Fort Hancock, Texas, Aug. 6, 2026. The barrier reinforcement operation enhances detection and observation capabilities along the U.S. southern border.

Marines assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border reinforce concertina wire along the southern barrier in Naco, Ariz., July 31, 2026. Barrier reinforcement operations ensure sustained protection and observation capabilities along the U.S. southern border.

Soldiers assigned to Joint Task Force District of Columbia interact with visitors during a presence patrol at the Thomas Jefferson Memorial in Washington, Aug. 2, 2026.

Soldiers assigned to Joint Task Force District of Columbia patrol at the Thomas Jefferson Memorial in Washington, Aug. 2, 2026.

A soldier assigned to Joint Task Force District of Columbia interacts with a visitor and their dog at the Thomas Jefferson Memorial in Washington, Aug. 2, 2026.

Soldiers assigned to Joint Task Force District of Columbia patrol at the Thomas Jefferson Memorial in Washington, Aug. 2, 2026.

Army Pfc. Jaden Gordon, assigned to Joint Task Force District of Columbia, patrols near the Navy Yard in Washington, Aug. 1, 2026.

Army Sgt. Matthew Scites, assigned to Joint Task Force District of Columbia, patrols near the Navy Yard in Washington, Aug. 1, 2026.

Army Staff Sgt. Harold Bateman, Spc. John Holifield and Pfc. Paul Down, assigned to Joint Task Force District of Columbia, patrol outside the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, July 28, 2026.

Army Staff Sgt. Harold Bateman, Spc. John Holifield and Pfc. Paul Down, assigned to Joint Task Force District of Columbia, patrol outside the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, July 28, 2026.

Mississippi National Guard members assigned to Joint Task Force District of Columbia patrol the Thomas Jefferson Memorial in Washington, Aug. 2, 2026. About 5,000 National Guardsmen are providing critical assistance to the Metropolitan Police Department to help ensure the safety of residents, commuters and visitors throughout the district.

Army Sgt. Justin Masterson, left, and Spc. Vladimir Alves, assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border, retrieve a Skydio X10D small unmanned aircraft system after an aerial observation in Rio Grande Valley, Texas, July 23, 2026. The unmanned system helps detect illegal crossings and enhances aerial monitoring capabilities to protect the territorial integrity of the U.S. southern border.

Mexican Border Defense Medals are displayed during a ceremony honoring soldiers assigned to the 4th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) at Joint Base San Antonio, June 15, 2026. This image was cropped to emphasize the subject and adjusted for color and light.