DOW Support to the Southern Border

National Guardsmen assigned to Joint Task Force District of Columbia line the streets alongside civilian first responder partners during an honor escort as part of a dignified transfer in Washington, Jan. 8, 2026. The transfer honored Terry Bennett, a member of the Metropolitan Police Department, who was struck by a vehicle while assisting a motorist on an interstate.

A Florida Army National Guard soldier interacts with family following a departure ceremony in Panama City, Fla., Jan. 4, 2026.

A soldier assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border interacts with a member of U.S. Customs and Border Protection during a joint patrol in El Centro, Calif., Dec. 31, 2025.

A Florida National Guard soldier interacts with family members after a departure ceremony in Pinellas Park, Fla., Jan. 3, 2026.

Guardsmen assigned to Joint Task Force District of Columbia conduct a presence patrol in support of the D.C. Safe and Beautiful mission in Washington, Dec. 30, 2025. The mission provides assistance to the Metropolitan Police Department and other local partners to help maintain public safety for district residents, commuters and visitors.

A Marine assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border puts a post for a National Defense Area sign into the ground in El Centro, Calif., Dec. 26, 2025. This marks the fifth such area established along the southern border.

The Iowa Air National Guard Honor Guard conducts an honorable transfer of the remains of fallen Iowa National Guard soldiers, Staff Sgts. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar and William Nathaniel Howard, at Des Moines International Airport, Iowa, Dec. 24, 2025.

Soldiers assigned to Joint Task Force District of Columbia choose gifts provided by the group's care team during a holiday luncheon at the D.C. Armory in Washington, Dec. 23, 2025. About 2,700 guardsmen are supporting the D.C. Safe and Beautiful mission, helping law enforcement and community partners strengthen public safety, resilience and quality of life across the nation's capital.

Soldiers and airmen supporting the D.C. Safe and Beautiful mission enjoy a luncheon in observation of the holiday season, Washington, Dec. 23, 2025. About 2,700 guardsmen are supporting the D.C. Safe and Beautiful mission, helping law enforcement and community partners strengthen public safety, resilience and quality of life across the nation's capital.

Army Brig. Gen. Leland D. Blanchard II, interim commanding general of the D.C. National Guard, awards the Joint Service Achievement Medal to Air Force Master Sgt. Noly Walker for providing critical coordination to the Office of the Commanding General as an aide-de-camp during the D.C. Safe and Beautiful mission, Washington, Dec. 24, 2025.

Army Brig. Gen. Leland D. Blanchard II, interim commanding general of the D.C. National Guard, awards the Joint Service Commendation Medal to Army Sgt. Ian Johnson for meritorious service as a protective service agent to senior military leaders during the D.C. Safe and Beautiful mission, Washington, Dec. 24, 2025.

Louisiana National Guardsmen select desserts during a holiday luncheon at the D.C. Armory in Washington, Dec. 23, 2025. About 2,700 guardsmen are supporting the D.C. Safe and Beautiful mission, helping law enforcement and community partners strengthen public safety, resilience and quality of life across the nation's capital.

Army Brig. Gen. Leland D. Blanchard II, interim commanding general of the D.C. National Guard, awards the Joint Service Commendation Medal to Air Force Capt. Joseph Meilak and Army Sgt. 1st Class Jurgen Soekhoe for meritorious service providing trauma assessment and other lifesaving aid to a member of the public during the D.C. Safe and Beautiful mission, Washington, Dec. 24, 2025.

Army Sgt. Kearsten Jones, a South Carolina National Guard member, reenlists aboard a UH-72 Lakota helicopter in Washington, Dec. 18, 2025. About 2,400 National Guardsmen support the D.C. Safe and Beautiful mission to help the Metropolitan Police Department ensure the safety of district residents, workers and visitors.

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.

Sniper teams compete in events at the 55th Winston P. Wilson and 35th Armed Forces Skill at Arms Meeting Sniper Championships at Fort Chaffee Joint Maneuver Training Center, Ark., Dec. 8, 2025. The matches challenged competitors to locate and engage multiple target sets, identify threats, make rapid precision shots and detect a concealed sniper, testing the full range of fieldcraft and marksmanship skills required in sniper operations.

A competitor participates in the stalk event at the 55th Winston P. Wilson and 35th Armed Forces Skill at Arms Meeting Sniper Championships at Fort Chaffee Joint Maneuver Training Center, Ark., Dec. 7, 2025. The stalk tests a team's ability to move with discipline, blend into the environment and deliver accurate fire while under observation.

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.

Undersecretary of the Army Michael A. Obadal, Lt. Gen. Jonathan M. Stubbs, director of the Army National Guard, and Brig. Gen. Leland D. Blanchard II, commanding general (interim) of the District of Columbia National Guard, participate in a holiday toy ruck in Washington, D.C., Dec. 6, 2025. During the 5-mile ruck, participants delivered toys to children spending the holiday season at Children's National Hospital.