DOW Support to the Southern Border

Students, leaders and instructors assigned to the 7th Army Training Command's Noncommissioned Officer Academy conduct the 4-mile Commandant’s Run in Grafenwoehr, Germany, May 14, 2026. The 7th Army NCOA mission is to train and develop future leaders who are adaptive, disciplined and ready to lead effectively at the squad and team levels.

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.

Marines assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border install triple-strand concertina wire using boom lifts during barrier reinforcement operations in Douglas, Ariz., April 17, 2026. U.S. Northern Command is working 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. Avery Lindberg, left, and Cpl. Sergio Garcia, both combat engineers assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border, position triple-strand concertina wire from a boom lift during barrier reinforcement operations in Douglas, Ariz., April 17, 2026.

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Christian Koch, a combat engineer assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border, uses a tie gun to secure triple-strand concertina wire during barrier reinforcement operations in Douglas, Ariz., Friday, April 17, 2026.

Marine Corps Pfc. Conner Kammerer, left, and Lance Cpl. Noah Hardon, assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border, depressurize a fuel gravity flow nozzle to ensure safe equipment storage after refueling 5-gallon jerry cans for barrier reinforcement operations along the southern border in Douglas, Ariz., April 20, 2026.

Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Viadoy Nicolas conducts preflight inspections on a CH-47F Chinook helicopter at Libby Army Airfield, Fort Huachuca, Ariz., April 16, 2026. Nicolas is assigned to Joint Task Force-Southern Border, which provides unique military capabilities to protect the territorial integrity of the U.S. southern border.

U.S. Air Force Academy cadets transport a manikin patient after assessing and treating its injuries during the superintendent's challenge as part of the spring culminating exercise in Colorado Springs, Colo., April 18, 2026. Nearly 3,000 cadets participated in the exercise, a rigorous, realistic multiday military training exercise designed to develop them into combat-ready, future Air Force and Space Force leaders.

U.S. Air Force Academy cadets participate in the spring culminating exercise in Colorado Springs, Colo., April 16, 2026.

Tents set up in support of cadet operations during the spring culminating exercise at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., April 17, 2026. The multiday training exercise tested cadets' leadership, warfighting and mission-planning skills in realistic field scenarios designed to prepare them for future service as Air Force and Space Force officers.

Cadets participate in the spring culminating exercise at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., April 16, 2026. The multiday training exercise tests cadets' leadership, warfighting and mission-planning skills in realistic field scenarios designed to prepare them for service as Air Force and Space Force officers.

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. 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.

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.

Army Sgt. Rafael Rodriguez, assigned to Joint Task Force-Southern Border, performs maintenance checks on a CH-47 Chinook helicopter at Fort Huachuca, Ariz., March 28, 2026.

Army pilots and crew aboard a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter assigned to Joint Task Force-Southern Border depart Fort Huachuca, Ariz., March 28, 2026.

Marines assigned to Joint Task Force-Southern Border attach triple-strand concertina wire to a barrier during reinforcement operations in Yuma, Ariz., March 25, 2026.

Marine Corps Cpl. Diego Balog-Garcia, assigned to Joint Task Force-Southern Border, uses a tie-gun to secure triple-strand concertina wire to a barrier during reinforcement operations in Yuma, Ariz., March 25, 2026.

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Joshua Huddeston welds a prefabricated bracket to the southern barrier during reinforcement operations in Yuma, Ariz., Feb. 26, 2026.