DOW Support to the Southern Border

Coast Guardsmen conduct unmanned aircraft systems training aboard the Cutter Robert Ward off the coast of San Pedro, Calif., Dec. 18, 2025. The training expands the crew's operational reach and sharpens response capabilities while saving time and resources.

Members of the Alaska National Guard and the Department of Homeland Security, along with volunteers from the Salvation Army and the Alaska National Guard Child and Youth Program, host families from Kipnuk and Kwigillingok during Operation Santa Claus at the Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage, Alaska, Dec. 14, 2025. Operation Santa Claus provides gifts, toys, backpacks and books to children in remote Alaskan communities. This year's event supported families who were displaced following Typhoon Halong.

Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Frank Blahut and Warrant Officer Carter Winters, assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border, prepare to land a Black Hawk helicopter at Fort Huachuca, Ariz., Dec. 4, 2025, after completing a mission with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Army Col. Joseph Katz, the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) deputy commanding officer for support, assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border, observes the southern border during a visit to El Paso, Texas, Dec. 1, 2025. Katz visited to gain on-ground insight into operations in that sector.

A soldier assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border welds a post for barrier improvement at Fort Bliss, Texas, Dec. 1, 2025. The task force is supporting  U.S. Customs and Border Protection to achieve 100% operational control of the southern border.

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Roman LucasJulian, assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border, operates an 850JR Medium Crawler Tractor during roadway improvement operations in Yuma, Ariz., Nov. 18, 2025.

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Tristan Deslatte, assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border, guides barbed wire as it is attached to the southern border barrier in Yuma, Ariz., Nov. 17, 2025.

Marines assigned to Joint Task Southern Border carry concertina wire into position for installation in Yuma, Ariz., Nov. 17, 2025.

Marines assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border use 460SJ telescopic booms to attach concertina wire while reinforcing the southern border barrier in Yuma, Ariz., Nov. 17, 2025.

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Adam Cline, assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border, operates a 120M motorized road grader during roadway improvement operations in Yuma, Ariz., Nov. 18, 2025.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents conduct maritime operations with soldiers to share insights about tactics and strategies used to safeguard the nation's southern border in Del Rio, Texas, March 7, 2025.

Marines assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border prepare concertina wire to reinforce the southern border barrier in Yuma, Ariz., Nov. 12, 2025.

Marine Corps Sgt. Alexander Trelease, assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border, drags concertina wire to a staging area while reinforcing the southern border barrier in Yuma, Ariz., Nov. 12, 2025.

Marine Corps Cpl. Mark Salazar, assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border, provides security as Marines reinforce the southern border barrier in Yuma, Ariz., Nov. 12, 2025.

Marine Corps Cpl. Paul Emmanuel Kouassi, assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border, attaches concertina to reinforce the southern border barrier in Yuma, Ariz., Oct. 15, 2025

Marine Corps Pfc. Ethan Webb works on a bracket at the southern border barrier in Yuma, Ariz., Oct. 15, 2025.

Marines assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border reinforce the southern border barrier in Yuma, Ariz., Oct. 15, 2025.

Marines assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border place concertina wire while reinforcing the southern border barrier in Yuma, Ariz., Oct. 15, 2025.

Marines assigned to Joint Task Force-Southern Border work to emplace a Yuma National Defense Area in Yuma, Ariz., Sept. 24, 2025. The task force executes full-scale, agile and all-domain operations in support of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to protect the territorial integrity of the United States and achieve 100% operational control of the southern border.

Marine Corps Cpl. Nathan Baptiste, assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border, prepares a post driver for a Yuma National Defense Area sign in Yuma, Ariz., Sept. 24, 2025.