DOW Support to the Southern Border

Marines and sailors learn uphill skiing during cold-weather training in preparation for Exercise Cold Response in Elvegardsmoen, Norway, Feb. 15, 2026. The exercise is designed to enhance collective defense capabilities and ensure U.S. readiness to rapidly deploy and seamlessly operate alongside NATO allies in challenging Arctic conditions.

Soldiers conduct a blood transport exercise during Spartan Focus at Fort Stewart, Ga., Feb. 14, 2026. During the exercise, soldiers tested emerging drone technologies to advance lifesaving capabilities on the battlefield.

A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk conducts a hoist during a search and rescue exercise in Kodiak, Alaska, Feb. 10, 2026. The exercise focused on strengthening collective response to incidents by deepening interoperability with federal, state, local and allied partners.

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.

An airman assigned to the 157th Air Refueling Wing deices an aircraft during a nuclear operations readiness exercise at Pease Air National Guard Base, N.H., Feb. 7, 2026. The exercise tested the wing's ability to rapidly generate aerial refueling capabilities in support of unconventional warfare operations.

Ahead of Super Bowl LX, North American Aerospace Defense Command F-15s assigned to the California Air National Guard's 144th Fighter Wing, in coordination with the Civil Air Patrol, conduct a live‑fly exercise simulating a temporary flight restriction violation intercept near Fresno Air National Guard Base, Calif., Feb. 4, 2026. The exercise reinforced the importance of compliance and the integrated efforts used to safeguard North American airspace.

Naval Support Activity Bahrain Harbor Patrol Unit personnel participate in Citadel Protect in Manama, Bahrain, Feb. 4, 2026. The exercise was designed to enhance security readiness and strengthen interoperability across commands, services and partner nations.

Soldiers establish a security perimeter during North Wind in Hokkaido, Japan, Jan. 27, 2026. The exercise was designed to focus on bilateral tactics, techniques and procedures for extreme cold-weather conditions while enhancing interoperability and readiness between U.S. and Japanese forces.

Marines board a target vessel during a visit, board, search and seizure exercise in the Pacific Ocean, Feb. 2, 2026.

A soldier participates in fire phobia training during a Kosovo Force mission rehearsal exercise at Joint Multinational Readiness Center's Hohenfels Training Area, Germany, Feb. 2, 2026, to prepare for an upcoming nine-month peacekeeping deployment.

An Air National Guard F-22 Raptor assigned to the 154th Wing takes flight during Sentry Aloha 26-1 at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Jan. 27, 2026. The training demonstrates the wing's capability to lead large-force employment exercises.

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.

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.

Marines participate in a hike during Mountain Training Exercise 1-26 at Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center in Bridgeport, Calif., Jan. 19, 2026. The exercise is designed to test Marines' ability to provide flexible and responsive combat service support during high-intensity operations in contested and mountainous terrain.

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.

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force paratroopers ride in a U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook during Northern Trilogy 2026 at Oujojibara Training Area, Japan, Jan. 16, 2026. This exercise was the first multinational airborne exercise held in Japan and consisted of multiple airborne operations and simulated combat maneuvers, bringing together multiple nations to enhance and strengthen bilateral capabilities.

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.