DOW Support to the Southern Border

A soldier assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, uses cord to attach a polyvinyl chloride pipe and a balloon to a drone, creating a simulated aerial target for a counter-small unmanned aircraft system during a training exercise at Fort Hood, Texas, July 15, 2026. Joint Interagency Task Force 401 recently published the 2026 Counter-Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Quick Reference Guide to help planners and tactical operators understand their equipment's full capabilities. It translates high-level strategic doctrine into concrete, repeatable tactics, techniques and procedures, enabling synchronized defenses against a rapidly evolving threat.

Soldiers participating in the Unmanned Advanced Lethality Course at Fort Rucker, Ala., launch a Black Hornet 4 nano-unmanned aerial vehicle, July 30, 2026.

Soldiers assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border supporting Operation Ardent Vanguard attach a sling load to the hook below a CH-47 Chinook helicopter at Biggs Army Airfield, Fort Bliss, Texas, Aug. 26, 2026. Service members assigned to the task force provide unique military capabilities to protect the territorial integrity of the U.S. southern border.

The Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center, headquartered at Picatinny Arsenal, N.J., and an industry partner successfully delivered an armed unmanned ground vehicle to the 101st Airborne Division's 3rd Mobile Brigade, highlighting the team's ability to swiftly field tactical assets to soldiers.

Army Sgt. Benjamin Cordova and Spc. Daniel Gutierrez, both assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border supporting Operation Ardent Vanguard, operate a C100X monitoring drone during low-light conditions near Eagle Pass, Texas, Aug. 20, 2026. The aerial monitoring supports efforts to detect, monitor and deter unlawful crossings into the United States.

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Benjamin Gonzales, a motor vehicle operator assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border in support of Operation Ardent Vanguard, helps install concertina wire on a secondary expeditionary barrier in Nogales, Ariz., Aug. 19, 2026.

Airmen assigned to the 147th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron perform postflight checks on an MQ-9 Reaper drone assigned to the 147th Attack Wing, Texas Air National Guard, at Keflavík Air Base, Iceland, during Exercise Northern Viking 26, Aug. 21, 2026. The exercise aims to strengthen interoperability and force readiness between the U.S., Iceland and allied nations.

Engineers assigned to the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command test an Infantry Squad Vehicle utility variant at Detroit Arsenal, Mich., Aug. 17, 2026.

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.

Marine Corps Sgt. Dillon Buck conducts a preflight check of a Skydio X2D small unmanned aircraft system at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Aug. 13, 2026.

A Marine launches a Skydio X2D unmanned aerial system during a simulated company attack at Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., Aug. 1, 2026.

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.

The Squad Aiming Laser is an ultra-compact, all-digital, multi-function laser system. It provides both visible and near-infrared aiming pointers and illumination, allowing Marines to locate, identify, and engage targets in the most contentious environments and harshest conditions.

Marine Corps Cpl. Cameron Green launches an RQ-20B Puma small unmanned aircraft during an urban assault training exercise at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, Calif., July 30, 2026.

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.

Army Staff Sgt. Steven Cenni flies the Skydio X10D small unmanned aircraft system during cover and concealment training at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., July 29, 2026.

Army Spc. Noah Hart, left, and Pfc. Alyssa Melton, infantry soldiers assigned to the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, engage simulated enemy forces during Project Convergence Capstone 6 at Fort Irwin, Calif., July 24, 2026. The multinational modernization experiment allows the joint force and multinational allies and partners to integrate people, equipment and technologies to support continuous transformation efforts.

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.

Cadre prepare to launch a drone as part of the Class of 2030's culminating exercise during Basic Cadet Training at Jacks Valley, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., July 23, 2026. The exercise tested field skills, teamwork, discipline and decision-making.