DOD Support to the Southern Border

Alaska Air National Guard Col. Matthew Kirby, commander of the 176th Wing Mission Support Group, slaps hands with a fellow competitor during a Norwegian Foot March near Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Aug. 1, 2025. The 18.6-mile march was designed to reinforce readiness and endurance and bolster morale and camaraderie across the force.

Soldiers participate in an airborne operation at Fort Bragg, N.C., July 30, 2025. The jump was designed to reinforce readiness and demonstrate the XVIII Airborne Corps' ability to project combat power anywhere in the world at a moment's notice.

From left, Army Sgt.1st Class Andrew Hernandez, Cpl. Ethan Regis and 1st Sgt. Reuben Gaeta, all assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border, call in an evacuation during casualty training in Presidio, Texas, July 26, 2025. The training allowed Marines, sailors and soldiers to further develop the skills to provide lifesaving care and transport.

Marines and sailors assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border offload a simulated casualty from an Army UH-60 Black Hawk during training in Yuma, Ariz., July 26, 2025. The training allowed Marines, sailors and soldiers to further develop the necessary skills to provide lifesaving casualty care and transport.

Army Col. Lillian Woodington, commander of the 89th Military Police Brigade and assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border, speaks during an operation-planning briefing near Chula Vista, Calif., July 29, 2025. The briefing is an opportunity for all participating elements to coordinate on upcoming border operations.

Border Patrol Special Operations Supervisor Jazmine Castillo, left, an acting liaison to Defense Department forces at U.S. Customs and Border Protection's San Diego Border Patrol Sector Headquarters, poses a question to Army forces about upcoming joint operations near Chula Vista, Calif., July 29, 2025. Partnership and presence at battalion- and brigade-level planning sessions help foster understanding on areas of improvement and the importance of border security.

U.S. Military Academy cadets participate in cadet leadership development training at the academy in West Point, N.Y., July 30, 2025. The training allows cadets to refine their tactical, leadership and decision-making skills under stress.

Soldiers fire an M777 towed 155 mm howitzer during a night live-fire exercise as a part of Devil Avalanche at Fort Bragg, N.C., July 30, 2025. Devil Avalanche focuses on demonstrating the ability of the 82nd Airborne Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team to deploy anywhere in the world within 18 hours.

A soldier conducts a static line airborne jump during Leapfest at Glen Rock Drop Zone, Exeter, R.I., Aug. 2, 2025. The international training event and competition is designed to promote high level technical training and esprit de corps within the international airborne community.

Marine Corps Cpl. Edward Zamora, assigned to 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, operates an X2D unmanned aerial system during a battalion field exercise at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., July 30, 2025. The exercise was designed to improve the battalion's combat and contingency response capabilities.

Sailors and Marines stand in formation aboard the USS America for a photo to commemorate 250 years of naval service while conducting operations in the Coral Sea, Aug. 2, 2025.

U.S. Air Force pararescuemen climb up a ladder to a Colombian Aerospace Force UH-1 Huey during Relámpago de los Andes in Coveñas, Colombia, July 30, 2025. The Colombian-led exercise brings together airpower, expertise and shared values to enhance security and interoperability in the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility.

Navy Seaman Zhibin He conducts testing on an oxygen generation system of an F/A-18E Super Hornet in the hangar bay aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Pacific Ocean, July 28, 2025.

Marine Corps Cpl. Manuel Cruz, left, and Sgt. Aaron White, both assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border, hike to place National Defense Area signs near the border barrier in Yuma, Ariz., July 31, 2025.

From left, Marine Corps Cpl. Manuel Cruz, Lance Cpl. Blake Welch and Cpl. William Cordero, all assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border, hike to place National Defense Area signs near the border barrier in Yuma, Ariz., July 31, 2025.

Marine Corps Cpl. Manuel Cruz, left, and Lance Cpl. Ayden Aguirre, assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border, place National Defense Area warning signs near Yuma, Ariz., July 31, 2025.

Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Riley Coontz monitors an optical sighting system in the combat information center aboard the USS Cole while operating in the Caribbean Sea, July 25, 2025. U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet is a partner to Caribbean, Central and South America maritime forces for unity, security and stability.

Army Brig. Gen. Thaddeus D. Fineran, left, deputy director of operations, U.S. Northern Command, discusses National Defense Area signage with Coast Guardsmen near McAllen, Texas, July 27, 2025. The signs clearly mark designated defense areas and warn of the consequences of unauthorized entry along the border.

Soldiers simulate providing suppressive fire during a combined arms live-fire exercise at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, July 29, 2025.

Marines conduct dry-fire close-quarter tactical training during Service Level Training Exercise 4-25 at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., July 29, 2025. The exercise presents a challenging, realistic training environment to produce integrated, combat-ready forces.