DOD Support to the Southern Border

Army Col. Ryan C. Kendall flies near Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany, May 27, 2025, during his final flight in an AH-64E Apache Guardian. Kendall marked this career milestone by completing the Army aviation tradition with a ceremonial landing and a formal water salute.

A soldier overcomes an obstacle during the 8th Army Best Squad Competition at Camp Hovey, South Korea, June 2, 2025. The competition tests physical, mental and tactical skills while emphasizing teamwork and unit cohesion.

Army Sgt. Logan Thurber, right, and members of U.S. Customs and Border Protection discuss the progress of a barrier being built near Laredo, Texas, May 23, 2025. Under the direction of U.S. Northern Command, Joint Task Force Southern Border aligns efforts to seal the border and prevent illegal activity.

Marine Corps Lance Cpls. Kurt Eason, left, and Jesus Rodriguez prepare to attach barbed wire along the southern border barrier near Imperial Beach, Calif., May 29, 2025. Marines supporting U.S. Northern Command are fortifying barriers to curtail illegal crossings.

Army 2nd Lt. Kjell Pedersen, center, is awarded the Army Commendation Medal certificate by Col. Robert Harless, commander of 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, left, during a ceremony at Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia, May 27, 2025. The ceremony recognized soldiers for their support of Joint Task Force Southern Border.

Soldiers assigned to the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, known as "The Old Guard," perform during Twilight Tattoo at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va., May 28, 2025.

Soldiers conduct 9-line medical evacuation training at Camp Santiago Joint Training Center, Salinas, Puerto Rico, May 29, 2025. The 9-line medevac protocol is used to communicate crucial information to the evacuation team.

An Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, not shown, hoists a soldier from a life raft during water rescue training in Arroyo, Puerto Rico, May 27, 2025.

Soldiers carry signs and posts to mark the New Mexico National Defense Area along the southern border near Cloverdale, N.M., May 24, 2025.

U.S. soldiers operate M2 Bradley fighting vehicles during the Jade Cobra VI exercise in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Feb. 18, 2025. The exercise strengthens military-to-military partnerships, increases readiness and facilitates security cooperation between the United States and Jordan.

Graduates of the U.S. Military Academy celebrate as the Army's newest officers during a commencement ceremony at West Point, N.Y., May 24, 2025.

Soldiers prepare to hook a container of supplies to a CH-47 Chinook as part of a training exercise at Biggs Army Airfield, Fort Bliss, Texas, May 22, 2025. The sling load training is preparation for missions along the southern border to prevent illegal activity.

New Hampshire National Guard soldiers fire a high mobility artillery rocket system during the 2025 iteration of Exercise African Lion at Cap Draa, Morocco, May 23, 2025. The annual exercise brings over 50 nations together to enhance the ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations.

Soldiers assigned to the 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Utah National Guard, look over the area of operations during Exercise Hydra at the Utah Test and Training Range, May 8, 2025. The exercise serves to prepare participants to respond decisively to complex threats across all domains.

Soldiers assigned to the U.S. Army Parachute Team, known as the Golden Knights, prepare to jump for the Hyundai Air and Sea Show, Miami Beach, May 24, 2025. The show, held annually on Memorial Day weekend, hosts various military demonstration teams.

An Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter flies near Irbil Air Base, Iraq, during a sunset mission, May 26, 2025.

Soldiers race canoes as part of physical training in Haleiwa, Hawaii, May 22, 2025.

Soldiers assigned to the 2nd Cavalry Regiment and their families begin the family color run on the final day of Dragoon Week at U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria, Germany, May 22, 2025. The annual weeklong observance celebrates the heritage and readiness of the Army's longest continuously serving cavalry regiment, also known as the Second Dragoons.

Coast Guardsmen conduct operations in the North Atlantic Ocean, May 19, 2025. Navy assets deployed under Northern Command's maritime homeland defense authorities are performing interdiction missions to prevent illegal activity along the southern border.

A Texas National Guardsman installs concertina wire on Defense Department land in Harlingen, Texas, May 19, 2025. The barrier is meant to deter people from illegally crossing the border with Mexico.