DOW Support to the Southern Border

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.

Airmen fold the American flag during a joint retreat ceremony at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, May 28, 2026. The folding of the flag marked the formal conclusion of the duty day, honoring the nation and the traditions upheld across all branches of service.

The amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge transits the Mississippi River during Sail 250 in New Orleans, May 28, 2026. The event celebrated 250 years of Navy and Marine Corps service as part of the nation's Freedom 250 commemoration.

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.

Marine Corps Lance Cpls. Rey Gonzalez, left, and Terence Hall, assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border, patrol along the U.S.-Mexico border near El Centro, Calif., May 21, 2026. U.S. Northern Command is working side-by-side with the Department of Homeland Security and the 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.

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Carter Gil, assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border, launches a Skydio X10 small unmanned aerial system to maintain situational awareness along the U.S.-Mexico border near El Centro, Calif., May 21, 2026.

Alliyah Collier, one of hundreds of future service members, stands in formation for the oath of enlistment administered by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach at the Hyundai Air and Sea Show in Miami, May 23, 2026. More than 300 recruits took the oath to join the military.

Marine Corps 2nd Lt. Thomas Corley paints camouflage on a child's face at Los Angeles Fleet Week, May 23, 2026. Fleet Week is a sea service celebration that allows residents to witness today's maritime capabilities firsthand.

An Army Green Beret places a rose on a memorial stone during the 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne)'s rose-laying ceremony at Fort Bragg, N.C., May 20, 2026. The ceremony honored 60 heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the nation.

Members of the Coast Guard Academy Class of 2026 throw their cadet combination covers into the air during a flyover at the 145th commencement exercise at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn., May 20, 2026.

Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Omar Mora, assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, meets his newborn child for the first time at Naval Station Norfolk, Va., May 16, 2026, following an 11-month deployment to the U.S. 2nd, 4th, 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility.

Army Spc. Kincaide Bunfill, assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border, uses binoculars to monitor the barrier near Bisbee, Ariz., as part of Operation Strike Kraken, May 7, 2026. Monitoring cartel scout sites, maintaining a ready posture to defeat enemy drones and ensuring shared communications with U.S. Customs and Border Protection are the operation's key tasks.

Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Nancy Acuna recites the oath of enlistment during a promotion ceremony aboard the USS Portland in the Pacific Ocean, May 1, 2026.

Army Lt. Col. Brandon Davisson gives the oath of enlistment to 1st Sgt. Fred Ulshafer, Sgt. Zach Rech and Spc. Tayvone Williams during a reenlistment ceremony at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., May 2, 2026, before the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby.

Air Force Senior Airman Anna Konig salutes during an Honor Guard graduation ceremony at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., April 24, 2026. About 11 new airmen graduated from the 120-hour course.