DOD Support to the Southern Border

An airman shoots an M240B machine gun during annual training at Camp James A. Garfield, Ohio, July 20, 2025. The training enhanced weapons proficiency and prepared airmen to support integrated defense operations in domestic and deployed environments.

A soldier simulates providing security at night during Exercise Devil Avalanche at Fort Bragg, N.C., July 22, 2025. The field training exercise trains soldiers to operate in darkness and builds key weapon systems proficiencies.

Soldiers conduct a combined arms live-fire exercise at Fort Pickett, Va., July 21, 2025.

An Army paratrooper receives a drone during Devil Avalanche at Fort Bragg, N.C., July 22, 2025. Devil Avalanche is a field training exercise in which paratroopers train to operate in periods of darkness, build proficiency on key weapon systems and sustain the force throughout the exercise.

Army Staff Sgt. Travis Preston, left, and Pfc. David Delgado provide security for engineers clearing brush around concertina wire near El Paso, Texas, July 17, 2025. Joint Task Force Southern Border executes full-scale, agile and all-domain operations in support of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to protect the territorial integrity of the United States.

Army Spc. Caleb White removes brush around concertina wire near El Paso, Texas, July 17, 2025. Soldiers support U.S. Border Patrol by clearing brush to improve visibility, detect signs of illegal activity and enhance response time. Joint Task Force Southern Border executes full-scale, agile and all-domain operations in support of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to protect the territorial integrity of the United States and achieve full operational control of the southern border.

Army Staff. Sgt. Cody Grant removes material interfering with the placement of concertina wire at the southern border near El Paso, Texas, July 17, 2025. Soldiers are supporting the Border Patrol by clearing brush to improve visibility, detect signs of illegal activity and enhance response time.

Army Spc. Jayden Holden and Cpl. Shyann Miller reinforce the southern border's barrier with concertina wire near El Paso, Texas, July 17, 2025.

The USS America steams alongside other ships in the Coral Sea during a formation exercise with Australian, South Korean, New Zealand, French and Japanese vessels as part of Talisman Sabre 25, July 20, 2025. Talisman Sabre is the largest bilateral military exercise between Australia and the United States, advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific by strengthening relationships and interoperability among key allies and partners while enhancing collective capabilities to respond to a wide array of potential security concerns.

A soldier reenlists in a C-130H Hercules aircraft assigned to the Delaware Air National Guard before a static-line jump during Exercise Agile Spirit 25 at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, July 21, 2025. The U.S.-Georgian exercise includes a joint airborne operation and live-fire exercises.

A Salvadoran soldier shoots an M4 carbine rifle alongside U.S. soldiers during a drill as part of The Adjutant General's 2025 Rifle Marksmanship Competition at Fort Devens, Mass., July 19, 2025.

Four UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters assigned to the Florida Army National Guard prepare to land on the desert flight line at the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, Calif., July 17th, 2025. Soldiers and flight crews participated in combined arms exercises designed to simulate large-scale combat operations.

An Air Force basic cadet from the class of 2029 receives instructions during the Combat Training and Maintenance Course at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., July 22, 2025. The course enhances participants' readiness and lethality by familiarizing them with various weapon systems.

Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Fred Miller looks out of a CH-53K helicopter near Naval Air Station Key West, Fla., July 21, 2025. Marines assigned to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing and 2nd Distribution Support Battalion are training with elements of the Army, Navy and U.S. Customs and Border Protection to refine humanitarian assistance and disaster relief capabilities, while also enhancing the CH-53K's ability to support distributed aviation operations in a joint environment.

Alaska Army National Guardsmen pilot a Black Hawk helicopter as part of hoist training at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, July 16, 2025. The training with industry experts replicates real-world rescue scenarios, requiring the full use of specialized equipment for hoist operators and crew members to conduct a simulated mission.

Navy Seaman Junias Bewa looks out aboard the USS Cole as the ship departs Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, July 19, 2025. U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet is a partner to Caribbean, Central and South America maritime forces, leading to improved unity, security and stability.

Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Sebastian Desmarais trains Petty Officer 3rd Class Mark Thompson on how to inspect a .50-caliber machine gun aboard the USS Cole at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, July 16, 2025.

Army Spc. Antonio Barragan, assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border, checks concertina wire for tampering near El Paso, Texas, July 17, 2025.

A soldier conducts individual weapons qualification with an M4 rifle and M17 pistol at Fort Riley, Kan., July 21, 2025, in preparation for an upcoming overseas deployment.

A soldier participates in stalk training as part of the Army Sniper Course at Fort Benning, Ga., July 18, 2025.