DOW Support to the Southern Border

Soldiers conduct a live fire during Operation Freedom Shield at Rocket Valley, South Korea, March 16, 2025. The exercise was designed to enhance the U.S.-South Korean alliance's deterrent posture against potential aggression, demonstrating the commitment of both nations to defend against any threats to regional security.

Ryan Bonacci, an exercise control group member attached to U.S. Space Forces - Korea, speaks to U.S. Space Force Maj. Dillon Hagerty, U.S. Space Forces - Korea director of force development (left), during exercise Freedom Shield 26 in the Pacific Air Simulation Center at Osan Air Base, South Korea, March 10, 2026. Simulation-based training allows exercise participants to receive near real-time feedback based on real-world scenarios and challenges.

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Joshua Huddeston welds a prefabricated bracket to the southern barrier during reinforcement operations in Yuma, Ariz., Feb. 26, 2026.

A soldier conducts a night patrol along the Rio Grande in Laredo, Texas, Feb. 2, 2026.

Soldiers conduct a night patrol along the Rio Grande in Laredo, Texas, Feb. 2, 2026.

Marines place ground concertina wire for barrier reinforcement in Yuma, Ariz., Feb. 23, 2026.

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jose Torres  attaches barbed wire to prefabricated brackets for southern border barrier reinforcement operations in Yuma, Ariz., Feb. 26, 2026.

Marine Corps Lance Cpls. Joshua Huddeston and Jose Torres  weld on prefabricated brackets during southern border barrier reinforcement operations in Yuma, Ariz., Feb. 26, 2026.

Marines conduct southern border barrier reinforcement operations in Yuma, Ariz., Feb. 26, 2026.

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Ryan Banales prepares to drive an infantry squad vehicle along the U.S.-Mexico border in San Diego, Feb. 25, 2026.

Marines patrol the U.S.-Mexico border in San Diego, Feb. 24, 2026.

Marines and soldiers assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border train together to enhance security for southern border barrier reinforcement operations in Yuma, Ariz., March 2, 2026.

Army Corps of Engineers South Pacific Border Task Force installs the first border barrier panel at the National Defense Area 1 project site near Antelope Wells, N.M., March 3, 2026. The project consists of installation of up to six miles of new permanent border barrier with access gates, patrol roadways and access improvements.

Soldiers check their sectors of fire during seize and defend the objective training as part of Freedom Shield at Rodriguez Live Fire Complex, South Korea, March 11, 2026. The exercise highlights the U.S.-South Korean alliance's commitment to maintain a robust combined defense posture and to defend both nations from any threat or adversary.

Soldiers guard their positions during defensive operations as part of Freedom Shield at Rodriguez Live Fire Complex, South Korea, March 12, 2026. The exercise highlights the U.S.-South Korean alliance's commitment to maintain a robust combined defense posture and to defend both nations from any threat or adversary.

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.

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.