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.

Army Pfc. Juan-Carlos Morales assesses a simulated casualty during a partnered medical training exercise at Caserma Del Din, Vicenza, Italy, Jan. 6, 2026. The training enables medics to share best practices and gain valuable insights to prepare for the Army Best Medic Competition.

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 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.

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.

Army Pfc. Rico Rivero, right, participates in a school roof repair project in Salamanca, Panama, Dec. 12, 2025. U.S. Southern Command is focused on increasing partner nation capacity and interoperability in the region and reflects the United States' enduring promise of friendship, partnership and solidarity with the Panamanian people.

U.S. forces participate in a live-fire event with Patriot missiles during Sky Shield at Udari Range Complex, Kuwait, Dec. 9, 2025. The exercise was designed to expand technical exchanges and advance regional understanding of counter-drone tactics and systems.

U.S. Marines and members of the Panamanian security services practice contact drill techniques during the combined jungle operations training course at Base Aeronaval Cristóbal Colón, Panamá, Dec. 8, 2025. U.S. Southern Command is focused on increasing partner nation capacity and interoperability in the region and reflects the United States' enduring promise of friendship, partnership and solidarity with the Panamanian people.

U.S. Army and international paratroopers prepare for takeoff during the Randy Oler Operation Toy Drop at Fort Liberty, N.C., Dec. 8, 2025. The event allows service members to support children in need during the holiday season and earn foreign partner-nation wings. The installation's name was restored to Fort Bragg in 2025.

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.

Air Force Airman 1st Class Joseph Salinas holds a security position as members of South Korea's air force respond to simulated unexploded ordnance during Exercise Beverly Sentinel 26-1 at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, Dec. 3, 2025.

An Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon takes off to participate in Exercise Poggio Dart at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Dec. 1, 2025. The exercise provided an opportunity to test the agile combat employment concept, demonstrated by the redeployment of a crucial mobile radar for integrated surveillance to Cervia Air Base, Italy.

An Army M1A3 Abrams tank fires during a multinational, joint training exercise at Pabradė Training Area, Lithuania, Dec. 2, 2025. The live-fire exercise focused on developing individual crews, target-engagement skills and multinational interoperability.

U.S. Marines and Panamanian security services personnel construct survival tools during the Combined Jungle Operations Training Course at Base Aeronaval Cristóbal Colón, Panamá, Nov. 30, 2025. U.S. Southern Command and its interagency partners are expanding their ongoing partnership with Panamanian security forces to effectively address common challenges.

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Erick Mena Rivas provides simulated security during Exercise Freezing Winds 2025 in Gylto, Finland, Nov. 29, 2025. The exercise is conducted to increase interoperability between Marines, Finnish forces and other NATO allies by executing combined amphibious operations in and around the Baltic Sea littorals.

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.