DOW Support to the Southern Border

Army Spc. Domenic Hruby, assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border, reinforces a barrier by welding "crow's feet" rods to its upper edge at a national defense area near Santa Teresa, N.M., Aug. 12, 2026. U.S. Northern Command is working 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.

Sailors check for foreign objects on the flight deck of the littoral combat ship USS Cooperstown as the ship transits the Gulf of America, July 4, 2026. The ship was supporting efforts to protect the territorial integrity of the U.S. 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.

Navy Seaman Hunter Berg commands sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt during a replenishment with the dry cargo ship USNS Washington Chambers as part of Rim of the Pacific in the Pacific Ocean, July 26, 2026. Rimpac, the world's largest international maritime exercise, fosters partnerships critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and ocean security.

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.

Marines assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit exit two MV-22B Osprey aircraft during Exercise Rim of the Pacific 2026 at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, Hawaii, July 24, 2026. Rimpac, the world's largest international maritime exercise, fosters partnerships critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and ocean security.

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.

A U.S. Navy MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter prepares to hoist sailors for a personnel recovery exercise during Exercise Rim of the Pacific 2026 in the Pacific Ocean, July 21, 2026. Rimpac, the world's largest international maritime exercise, fosters partnerships critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and ocean security.

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.

A Navy diver plunges into the water for salvage training during Exercise Rim of the Pacific 2026 at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, July 20, 2026. Rimpac, the world's largest international maritime exercise, fosters partnerships critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and ocean security.

Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Andrew Stevens and Petty Officer 2nd Class Chaz Russel deploy an air/sea rescue kit during Exercise Rim of the Pacific 2026 at U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point, Hawaii, July 21, 2026. The training fosters international partnership and maritime security.

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.

A U.S. Navy explosive ordnance disposal technician secures a rope on the ground for a Peruvian navy counterpart descending from a helicopter during Exercise Rim of the Pacific 26 at Bellows Air Force Station, Hawaii, July 13, 2026. The training fosters international partnership and maritime security.

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.

Coast Guardsmen aboard the cutter Hollyhock work to place a new buoy off the coast of Honolulu for a restoration project as part of Rim of the Pacific 26, July 9, 2026. The exercise provides 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.