DOW Support to the 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.

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.

Navy, Coast Guard and ships from allied and partner nations sail together during Exercise Rim of the Pacific 2026, July 22, 2026. Thirty nations, 30 ships, five submarines, 15 national land forces, more than 190 aircraft and more than 30,000 personnel are participating in the exercise, held in and around the Hawaiian Islands.

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.

Army Spc. Riley Ladanne, assigned to the 62nd Medical Brigade, fires a Carl Gustav recoilless rifle during the U.S. Army Pacific Best Squad Competition at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., July 22, 2026. The annual five-day event features 16 squads from units across the Pacific region, testing individual soldier readiness and squad-level cohesion.

Army Maj. Gen. Curtis Taylor, commander of 1st Armored Division and Joint Task Force Southern Border, observes a motion sensor array with soldiers and a U.S. Border Patrol agent near Fort Hancock, Texas, July 18, 2026. The sensor array detects suspected illegal entry into the Joint Operations Area and notifies Border Patrol agents.

Navy Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jason Webley prepares cargo for transportation on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George Washington during a replenishment with the dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Charles Drew in the Philippine Sea, July 17, 2026. The George Washington is committed to maintaining a peaceful Pacific region.

Soldiers assigned to U.S. Army Pacific complete the combat water survival training assessment during the Best Squad Competition at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., July 20, 2026. The five-day competition features 16 squads from across the command and serves as a rigorous test of individual strength and squad-level cohesion.

Navy Seaman Ashley Onate fires a line to the dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Charles Drew from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George Washington during a replenishment in the Philippine Sea, July 17, 2026. The George Washington is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to sustain peace in the Pacific region.

Army Sgt. Mauri Sanchez and Staff Sgt. Chris Wright, assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border, demonstrate the C-100 capabilities during an unmanned aerial observation in Del Rio, Texas, July 3, 2026. The unmanned aircraft system helps detect illegal crossings and enhance aerial monitoring capabilities.

A C-100 unmanned aircraft system hovers above the ground as a soldier assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border demonstrates its capabilities in Del Rio, Texas, July 3, 2026,

Army Sgt. Mauri Sanchez, assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border, demonstrates the capabilities of the C-100 unmanned aircraft system in Del Rio, Texas, July 3, 2026. The system helps detect illegal crossings and enhances aerial monitoring capabilities.

A Navy air-cushioned landing craft returns to the amphibious assault ship USS Essex during Exercise Rim of the Pacific 2026, July 14, 2026. The world's largest international maritime exercise, Rimpac 26 brings together 30 nations, 30 surface ships, five submarines, 15 national land forces, 206 aircraft and 30,000 personnel for a unique training opportunity.

U.S. service members spar during the 24th Annual South Korea-U.S. Friendship Armed Forces Combat Taekwondo Exhibition at Osan Air Base, South Korea, July 11, 2026. Through the shared practice of taekwondo, participants deepened cultural appreciation while strengthening the bond between the nations' military communities.

Army Sgt. Maj. William Frazer, assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border in support of Operation Ardent Vanguard, observes recovery operations of the Persistent Surveillance System-Tethered aerostat at Site Noria near Santa Teresa, N.M., July 8, 2026. The PSS-T aerostat is an elevated monitoring platform that enhances situational awareness and supports border security operations.

A U.S. Navy diver works alongside a Royal New Zealand Navy diver during a salvage training dive at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, during Exercise Rim of the Pacific 2026, July 8, 2026. Bilateral training during the maritime exercise allows divers to practice deep-water recovery, underwater welding and harbor clearance operations.

Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Nathaniel Guerrero fires an M4 rifle during training aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, July 9, 2026. The Tripoli is conducting routine operations in the Indo-Pacific region.

A U.S. sailor observes two members of the Royal Thai Navy rappel down a training tower during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training Thailand 2026 in Sattahip, Thailand, July 7, 2026. The multinational exercise series is designed to enhance maritime interoperability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Sailors shoot an M2A1 .50-caliber machine gun at an inflatable surface target, known as a killer tomato, during a live-fire exercise on the guided-missile destroyer USS Mustin in the Indian Ocean, July 4, 2026. The Mustin is deployed to the Indo-Pacific region as part of the Navy's largest destroyer squadron.