DOW Support to the Southern Border

A Marine assigned to India Company, Battalion Landing Team 3/5, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, participates in marksmanship training aboard amphibious assault ship the USS Boxer in the Pacific Ocean, April 13, 2026. The unit contributes to deterrence and crisis response in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations.

Army Sgt. Jimmy McCain, a 114th Aviation Regiment soldier assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border, aims the Wingman and Pitbull counter-small unmanned aerial system toward a drone during a joint training exercise at Fort Bliss, Texas, April 9, 2026.

Army Spc. Ruston Day, assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, begins a 9-mile ruck march during a Best Squad Competition at Vilseck, Germany, April 9, 2026. The competition featured a series of events designed to test technical skill, tactical proficiency and physical endurance to determine the best squad.

Airmen practice target shooting with M4s during small-arms training at Joint Base San Antonio, April 8, 2026. The training focused on weapon proficiency in close-quarters battle, shoot-house exercises and combat scenarios.

Soldiers helocast into Victory Pond during the Best Ranger Competition at Fort Benning, Ga., April 12, 2026. During the competition, soldiers demonstrated endurance, tactical competency and lethality.

An Ecuadorian Air Force Embraer A-29 Super Tucano flies alongside a U.S. Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet above the USS Nimitz during a bilateral maritime engagement in the Pacific Ocean, April 8, 2026. The USS Nimitz is deployed as part of Southern Seas, an exercise designed to enhance capability, improve interoperability and strengthen maritime partnerships with countries in the region through joint, multinational and interagency exchanges and cooperation.

Army Sgt. Drew Schorsh and Spc. Caleb Godbold, assigned to the 75th Ranger Regiment, win the Best Ranger Competition at the National Infantry Museum in Columbus, Ga., April 12, 2026. The competition tests soldiers' stamina, technical prowess and mental acuity.

A soldier provides security with an M249 squad automatic weapon during training at Fort Polk, La., April 8, 2026.

A sailor assigned to the USS Gridley rides a rigid-hull inflatable boat during a simulated maritime interdiction operation with the Ecuadorian navy ship BAE Manabi in the Pacific Ocean, April 7, 2026. The USS Gridley is deployed as part of Southern Seas, an exercise designed to enhance capability, improve interoperability and strengthen maritime partnerships with countries in the region through joint, multinational and interagency exchanges and cooperation.

Soldiers compete in the physical demands test during the Best Mortar Competition at Fort Benning, Ga., April 8, 2026.

Army Spc. Victor Gonzalez, assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border, scans the terrain during an exfiltration mission in Arizona, April 4, 2026. The task force, under U.S. Northern Command, provides aerial support to the Border Patrol to protect U.S. territorial integrity.

Soldiers assigned to the 25th Transportation Battalion conduct chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear training during the 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command Best Squad Competition at Camp Carroll Army Base, South Korea, April 7, 2026.

Members of the 98th Flying Training Squadron display the U.S. Air Force Academy class colors during a jump demonstration at Davis Airfield in Colorado Springs, Colo., April 4, 2026. Air Force Lt. Col. Nick Burke assumed command of the squadron, which provides parachute training to cadets at the academy, from Lt. Col. Jonathan Vaage.

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Cassandra Ortiz, assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border, sets up concertina wire during barrier reinforcement operations to prevent unauthorized crossings in Nogales, Ariz., April 6, 2026. U.S. Northern Command is working with the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection to protect the territorial integrity of the U.S. southern border.

Soldiers compete in the armored multipurpose vehicle/medical lane event during the Best Mortar Competition at Fort Benning, Ga., April 8, 2026. The event tested the team's ability to operate the AMPV and provide lifesaving care under pressure.

Marine Corps recruit Fabiangni Santos practices sighting in at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., April 8, 2026.

Soldiers approach an improved bridge element while a CH-47F Chinook helicopter delivers another element during a sling-load operation at the 7th Army Training Command's Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, April 8, 2026.

Marines conduct urban operations training at Rodriguez Live Fire Training Complex in Pocheon, South Korea, April 6, 2026. The training familiarized them with urban environment procedures to enhance their skills and lethality.

Soldiers assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, participate in the Hammerhead Leaders Assessment at Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii, April 7, 2026. The event aims to test and inspire competition between junior officers.

Students conduct rappel training at the Sabalauski Air Assault School tower at Fort Campbell, Ky., April 2, 2026. The physically demanding course tests soldiers' strength, endurance and discipline as they train to conduct air assault operations.