DOW Support to the Southern Border

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.

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.

An Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border hovers over a telecommunication network system during an Operation Muleskinner Trailblazer III sling-load mission in Big Bend, Texas, July 2, 2026. The operation helped the U.S. Border Patrol replace telecommunications equipment to boost joint-agency communications.

Army Spc. Derrick Obeng, a construction equipment repairer assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border, prepares the reach tube during a sling-load operation as part of Operation Muleskinner Trailblazer III in Big Bend, Texas, July 2, 2026. The operation helped the U.S. Border Patrol replace telecommunications equipment to boost joint-agency communications.

Army Staff Sgt. Kevin Wood, assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border, monitors terrain from the cargo ramp of a CH-47 Chinook helicopter during Operation Muleskinner Trailblazer III in Big Bend, Texas, July 2, 2026. The operation helped the U.S. Border Patrol replace telecommunications equipment to boost joint-agency communications.

Army Spc. Cody Doran, a CH-47 Chinook helicopter crew chief assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border, assists with the dual-point sling-load hookup during Operation Muleskinner Trailblazer III in Big Bend, Texas, July 2, 2026. The operation helped the U.S. Border Patrol replace telecommunications equipment to boost joint-agency communications.

Soldiers assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border await the arrival of a CH-47 Chinook helicopter at a pickup zone to prepare for the transport of a telecommunications network system during Operation Trailblazer III in Big Bend, Texas, July 2, 2026. The operation helped the U.S. Border Patrol replace telecommunications equipment to boost joint-agency communications.

A soldier assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border signals a CH-47 Chinook helicopter assigned to the 1st Armored Division to pick up a telecommunications network system during Operation Muleskinner Trailblazer III in Big Bend, Texas, July 2, 2026. The operation helped the U.S. Border Patrol replace telecommunications equipment to boost joint-agency communications.

A drone sits on the ground at Camp Guernsey Joint Training Center, Wyo., May 15, 2026. Joint Interagency Task Force 401 recently published a practical handbook designed to build a shared understanding of the drone threat and the basic principles of protecting against illicit drones.

Army 1st Lt. Efren Garcia, a UH-60M Black Hawk pilot assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border, performs preflight checks before a routine aerial monitoring mission to maintain situational awareness along the U.S.-Mexico border in California, June 22, 2026.

Soldiers assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade operate tactical electronic warfare systems during Spectrum Blitz at the Hohenfels Training Area, Joint Multinational Readiness Center, Germany, June 24, 2026. Spectrum Blitz is an electronic warfare competition designed to validate platoon readiness and certify tactical software.

Army Staff Sgt. Cameron Caratti engages a drone with a Dronebuster during counter-unmanned aircraft systems training as part of Khaan Quest at Five Hills Training Facility near Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, June 21, 2026. The exercise was designed to strengthen relationships and increase interoperability with allies and partners.

A Green Beret assigned to the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) calibrates an unmanned aerial system during Next Generation Command and Control training support of Ivy Sting IV at Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site, Colo., Feb. 4, 2026. The training enhanced Special Operations Forces integration into NGC2 systems alongside 4th Infantry Division to improve mission command capabilities and interoperability in large-scale combat operations.

A paratrooper assigned to the Army's 82nd Airborne Division prepares to launch an unmanned aerial system at an undisclosed location in the Middle East during a training event, June 16, 2026.

Army Pfc. Ethan Lair, left, and Spc. Jeremiah Ortiz, assigned to the 125th Intelligence and Electronic Warfare Battalion, 25th Infantry Division, recover an unmanned surface vessel during Exercise Salaknib 2026 from the Casiguran Sound in the northeastern part of Luzon, Philippines, June 8, 2026.

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Abraham Guillen, assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border, sets up 360-degree light detection and ranging survey equipment to prepare for a topographical scan near Bob Thompson Peak in Sierra Vista, Ariz., June 9, 2026. Service members conducted a site survey using the equipment to gather terrain data for a road improvement project in support of U.S. Border Patrol.

Navy Petty Officers 1st Class Kenneth Mangahas, front, and Zane Elliott launch an Iver3 unmanned underwater vehicle during Baltic Operations in Liepaja, Latvia, June 10, 2026. The exercise was designed to strengthen combined response capabilities critical to preserving freedom of navigation and security in the Baltic Sea.

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.