DOW Support to the Southern Border

An Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border hovers over a telecommunication network system during an Operation Muleskinner Trailblazer III sling-load mission in Big Bend, Texas, July 2, 2026. The operation helped the U.S. Border Patrol replace telecommunications equipment to boost joint-agency communications.

Army Spc. Derrick Obeng, a construction equipment repairer assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border, prepares the reach tube during a sling-load operation as part of Operation Muleskinner Trailblazer III in Big Bend, Texas, July 2, 2026. The operation helped the U.S. Border Patrol replace telecommunications equipment to boost joint-agency communications.

Army Staff Sgt. Kevin Wood, assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border, monitors terrain from the cargo ramp of a CH-47 Chinook helicopter during Operation Muleskinner Trailblazer III in Big Bend, Texas, July 2, 2026. The operation helped the U.S. Border Patrol replace telecommunications equipment to boost joint-agency communications.

Army Spc. Cody Doran, a CH-47 Chinook helicopter crew chief assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border, assists with the dual-point sling-load hookup during Operation Muleskinner Trailblazer III in Big Bend, Texas, July 2, 2026. The operation helped the U.S. Border Patrol replace telecommunications equipment to boost joint-agency communications.

Soldiers assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border await the arrival of a CH-47 Chinook helicopter at a pickup zone to prepare for the transport of a telecommunications network system during Operation Trailblazer III in Big Bend, Texas, July 2, 2026. The operation helped the U.S. Border Patrol replace telecommunications equipment to boost joint-agency communications.

A soldier assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border signals a CH-47 Chinook helicopter assigned to the 1st Armored Division to pick up a telecommunications network system during Operation Muleskinner Trailblazer III in Big Bend, Texas, July 2, 2026. The operation helped the U.S. Border Patrol replace telecommunications equipment to boost joint-agency communications.

Marine Corps Sgt. Brennan Mittelbach, left, and an Indonesian marine conduct close-quarters battle tactics at a live-fire range event during Rim of the Pacific at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, July 2, 2026. The Rimpac maritime exercise unites 30 nations to strengthen relationships and secure global sea lanes.

U.S. Navy explosive ordnance disposal technicians and New Zealand navy operators conduct mine countermeasure training during Exercise Rim of the Pacific 2026 off the coast of Oahu, Hawaii, July 2, 2026. Thirty nations, more than 30 surface ships, five submarines, 15 national land forces, 206 aircraft and over 30,000 personnel are participating in the world's largest international maritime exercise in and around the Hawaiian Islands.

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kanye Roach fires a multirole antiarmor personnel weapon system during a live-fire range event as part of Exercise Rim of the Pacific 2026 at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, June 23, 2026. The Rimpac international exercise strengthens partnerships to ensure global sea lane safety and maritime security.

Army 1st Lt. Efren Garcia, a UH-60M Black Hawk pilot assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border, performs preflight checks before a routine aerial monitoring mission to maintain situational awareness along the U.S.-Mexico border in California, June 22, 2026.

Sailors and Marines aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Essex man the rails while transiting into Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, for Rim of the Pacific 2026, June 21, 2026. The Rimpac multinational exercise fosters relationships critical to ensuring global maritime security.

A Navy air-cushioned landing craft transports Marines during an in-stream offload from the amphibious assault ship USS Essex at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, June 18, 2026, in preparation for the Rim of the Pacific. The exercise is designed to provide a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans.

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Abraham Guillen, assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border, sets up 360-degree light detection and ranging survey equipment to prepare for a topographical scan near Bob Thompson Peak in Sierra Vista, Ariz., June 9, 2026. Service members conducted a site survey using the equipment to gather terrain data for a road improvement project in support of U.S. Border Patrol.

Marine Corps Cpl. Midley Devariste, assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border, uses an angle grinder to cut brackets during barrier reinforcement operations in Naco, Ariz., June 1, 2026.

A UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter conducts sling load operations near El Centro, Calif., March 3, 2026. The sling load operations were required to move materials from the mountainous areas along the southern border after 11,700 miles of concertina wire were built.

Marine Corps Lance Cpls. Samuel Sosa, left, and Sebastian Robles, assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border, operate a boom lift to replace concertina wire during barrier reinforcement operations in Nogales, Ariz., May 15, 2026. U.S. Northern Command is working side-by-side 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.

Marine Corps Lance Cpls. Allen Tomb, left, and Dylan Lindsey, assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border, weld prefabricated brackets onto the southern barrier during reinforcement operations in Naco, Ariz., May 20, 2026. U.S. Northern Command is working side-by-side 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.

Marines assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border extend concertina wire for barrier reinforcement operations in Naco, Ariz., May 20, 2026. U.S. Northern Command is working side-by-side 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.

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Luke Smith, assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border, provides security along the southern barrier as part of barrier reinforcement operations in Nogales, Ariz., May 15, 2026. U.S. Northern Command is working side-by-side 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.

Marines assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border stand in a line to board a UH-60 Black Hawk during a simulated casualty evacuation exercise near San Ysidro, Calif., May 20, 2026. U.S. Northern Command is working side-by-side with the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection within narrowly defined authorities to provide unique military capabilities to protect the territorial integrity of the U.S. southern border.