DOD Support to the Southern Border

Soldiers signal an area with smoke for engineers to breach during a live-fire training exercise as part of Agile Spirit at Vaziani Training Area, Georgia, Aug. 3, 2025. The exercise is designed to strengthen regional security cooperation, build military capacity, integrate innovations and foster interoperability in NATO and with participating partners.

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.

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.

Vessels from the Border Patrol and Coast Guard patrol the recently established Rio Grande Valley National Defense Area near McAllen, Texas, July 27, 2025. Joint Task Force Southern Border is supporting U.S. Customs and Border Protection to achieve 100% operational control of the southern border.

Joseph Humire, deputy assistant secretary of defense for Western Hemisphere affairs, and Army Lt. Col. Kyle Brown, assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border, discuss how Stryker armored vehicles help the Border Patrol secure the border near Nogales, Ariz., July 28, 2025. This visit facilitates and informs policy to enhance border resources for future implementation.

Army Col. Jennifer Mykins, deputy commanding officer of sustainment for Joint Task Force Southern Border, pointing, briefs Jonathan Owen, acting deputy assistant secretary of defense for homeland defense integration and defense support to civil authorities, on border areas of interest from an Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter near Nogales, Ariz., July 26, 2025. The visit was designed to facilitate and inform border policies for future implementation.

Soldiers assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border prepare to sling load a Humvee to a CH-47 Chinook during training at Fort Bliss, Texas, July 16, 2025. Sling-load capabilities allow for equipment up to 25,000 pounds to be transported by helicopter to remote areas of the border.

A soldier applies face paint to prepare for a joint airborne operation during Agile Spirit at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, July 21, 2025. The exercise is designed to strengthen regional security cooperation, build military capacity, integrate innovations and foster interoperability in NATO and with participating partners.

Marine Corps Cpl. Nathan Baptiste, a small unmanned aircraft system operator assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border, operates a Skydio X2D drone during a reconnaissance patrol near Yuma, Ariz., July 21, 2025.

Soldiers assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border and U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel carry simulated casualties to a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter during medevac training near El Paso, Texas, July 11, 2025. The training enhances medical evacuation skills, reinforces interagency collaboration and improves air-ground coordination to ensure rapid, safe transport of casualties.

Soldiers assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border sling load a Humvee to a CH-47 Chinook during training at Fort Bliss, Texas, July 16, 2025. Sling-load capabilities allow for equipment up to 25,000 pounds to be transported by helicopter to remote areas of the border.

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Alejandro Soto, an infantry rifleman assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border, prepares materials for barrier reinforcement in Yuma, Ariz., July 24, 2025.

Army Cpl. Tyrique Carter, right, assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border, teaches Marine Corps Sgt. Zachary Obrecht how to operate a Dronebuster device to counter small unmanned aircraft systems during training in Yuma, Ariz., July 20, 2025.