DOW Support to the Southern Border

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.

U.S. Marines and partner nation forces engage simulated waterborne threats during a Panamax 2026 joint maritime security exercise aboard the Esteban Huertas vessel in Panama City, Aug. 12, 2026. The exercise improves interoperability and strengthens the capacity for complex multinational, all-domain operations in the region.

A Marine runs during a Panamax 2026 engagement drill at Base Aeronaval Cristobal Colón, Panama, Aug. 10, 2026. The exercise improves interoperability and strengthens the capacity for complex multinational, all-domain operations in the region.

A U.S. Army aviation crew chief directs Panamanian Servicio Nacional Aeronaval search and rescue team members to exit a U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter at Cerro Tigre, Panama, during Exercise Panamax 2026, Aug. 11, 2026. The exercise helps the defense and public security forces of participating nations improve interoperability, hone operational skills and forge strong partnerships.

A U.S. Coast Guard boat and Colombian and Ecuadorian navy boats participate in Pacific Ocean pursuit training during Panamax 2026 near Panama, Aug. 10, 2026. The exercise sharpens defense and public security forces' interoperability, hones skills during all-domain operations and deters threats in the region.

The Coast Guard Maritime Security Response Team West and Panamanian personnel participate in maritime interdiction training during Exercise Panamax 2026 in Panama City, Aug. 7, 2026. The exercise improves interoperability and strengthens the capacity for complex multinational, all-domain operations in the region.

Marines assigned to Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, and Panamanian National Aeronaval Service members run off a helicopter during aircraft familiarization and security drills as part of Panamax 2026 at Base Aeronaval Cristobal Colón, Panama, Aug. 7, 2026. The exercise improves interoperability and strengthens capacity for complex multinational, all-domain operations in the region.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Thomas Dove, left, and Spc. Reneisha Medina-Vega, center, discuss obedience training procedures with a member of Panama's Policía Nacional during bilateral military working dog training as part of Exercise Panamax 2026 at Policía Nacional's Unidad Canina del Aeropuerto Internacional de Tocumen, Panama, Aug. 8, 2026. Panamax seeks to improve interoperability and strengthen collective capacity to conduct complex multinational and all-domain operations to ensure the free flow of commerce through the Panama Canal and maintain security and stability in the region.

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Ronney Oviedo holds security during an Exercise Panamax 2026 raid rehearsal at Base Aeronaval Base Cristobal Colón, Panama, Aug. 4, 2026. The exercise improves interoperability and strengthens capacity for complex multinational, all-domain operations in the region.

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 U.S. Coast Guard cutter Robert Ward alongside Mexican, Ecuadorian, Colombian and Panamanian vessels conduct tactical signaling training during Panamax in the Pacific Ocean near Panama, Aug. 7, 2026. The exercise was designed to improve interoperability, sharpen skills and demonstrate the ability to respond and deter threats to the region and its critical waterways.

Navy leaders from the United States, the Netherlands, Dominican Republic, Panama and Colombia pose for a picture at Base Aeronaval Cristóbal Colón, Panama, Aug. 4, 2026. Exercise Panamax 2026 seeks to improve interoperability to ensure the free flow of commerce through the Panama Canal and maintain security and stability in the region.

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 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.

Mexican Border Defense Medals are displayed during a ceremony honoring soldiers assigned to the 4th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) at Joint Base San Antonio, June 15, 2026. This image was cropped to emphasize the subject and adjusted for color and light.

Army Maj. Gen. Curtis Taylor, commander of 1st Armored Division and Joint Task Force Southern Border, observes a motion sensor array with soldiers and a U.S. Border Patrol agent near Fort Hancock, Texas, July 18, 2026. The sensor array detects suspected illegal entry into the Joint Operations Area and notifies Border Patrol agents.

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.