Through the Camera’s View: DoD’s Ongoing Support for Southern Border Security
U.S. Northern Command plays an important role in supporting border security efforts along the southern border of the United States. In partnership with the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Northern Command works tirelessly to maintain the nation’s territorial integrity and security.
The below images offer a glimpse into the daily operations and efforts of these dedicated personnel, highlighting their role in maintaining the security and integrity of the United States.
UH-72 Lakota Assists in Aerial Surveillance
In this photo, soldiers from Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 140th Aviation Regiment, California Army National Guard, are seen preparing a UH-72 Lakota helicopter for a flight along the southern border near Dona Ana, New Mexico, on January 29, 2025.
This image shows the collaboration between U.S. Northern Command and the Department of Homeland Security, as they work together to enhance the capabilities of U.S. Customs and Border Protection in securing the southern border.
The presence of the UH-72 Lakota – the military aviation asset – plays an important role in border surveillance and patrol operations, providing valuable aerial support.
Active-Duty Troops Observe and Protect Southern Border Near Santa Teresa
This photo captures a soldier from the 192nd Quartermaster Company, stationed in Milan, Ohio, using binoculars to observe the southern border near Santa Teresa, New Mexico, on January 28, 2025.
As part of this mission, over 1,600 active-duty personnel were initially deployed, bringing the total military presence along the border to nearly 4,000, strengthening the nation’s security efforts.
This deployment highlights the continued dedication of Northcom, DHS, and U.S. military forces to safeguarding the nation’s borders and preserving the safety and integrity of the United States.
Coast Guard and Border Patrol Team Up to Secure the Rio Grande
This captures U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Security Team Houston as they conduct a patrol with U.S. Border Patrol along the Rio Grande River in Texas on January 28, 2025. This collaboration shows the Coast Guard’s role in the comprehensive effort to secure America’s borders.
By actively engaging in joint patrols with Border Patrol agents, the Coast Guard not only helps to prevent illegal crossings and criminal activity but also plays a vital part in defending the nation’s sovereignty and protecting its territorial integrity.
The Rio Grande, as a boundary, requires coordinated operations to ensure the safety of local communities and national security. The Coast Guard’s role features their commitment to protecting the nation’s interests, supporting a strategy that spans both land and waterways.
Marine Installs Barriers in San Ysidro
In this photo, a Marine from the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, is seen securing concertina wire along the southern border wall near San Ysidro, California, on January 27, 2025.
The installation of physical barriers, like concertina wire, is intended to bolster efforts to prevent illegal crossings and improve the safety of the southern border, showing the military’s role in protecting national security.
Maj. Gen. Dixon Meets with Marines Near San Ysidro to Strengthen Border Security
Army Maj. Gen. Henry S. Dixon, commander of Joint Task Force North, is pictured engaging with Marines from the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, about southern border operations near San Ysidro, California, on January 28, 2025.
A key component of this effort involves the emplacement of temporary physical barriers, such as concertina wire, to reinforce security measures and curb illegal border crossings. The temporary barriers are part of a broader, multi-faceted strategy that combines military expertise with law enforcement coordination to address border challenges effectively.
The exchange also shows the high-level coordination between military commanders and law enforcement, where decisions made at the top levels are translated into actions on the ground.
Soldier Tracks Border Operations in Santa Teresa
A soldier from the 192nd Quartermaster Company, based in Milan, Ohio, is seen monitoring an area along the southern border near Santa Teresa, New Mexico, on January 28, 2025.
As a key component of this plan, more than 1,600 active-duty personnel have been deployed, bringing the total number of armed forces along the border to nearly 4,000. This increased military presence is a vital measure in strengthening border security, enhancing surveillance, and preventing illegal activities such as cross-border trafficking and unauthorized crossings.
192nd Quartermaster Company Supports Southern Border Security
Soldiers from the 192nd Quartermaster Company, based in Milan, Ohio, are seen monitoring the southern border near Santa Teresa, New Mexico, on January 28, 2025.
The first phase of this deployment involves 1,600 active-duty personnel, raising the total number of military forces stationed along the border to nearly 4,000.
The placement of military personnel not only bolsters the immediate security of the border but also sends a clear message that the U.S. is committed to safeguarding its sovereignty and maintaining the integrity of its borders.
Active-Duty Soldiers Enhance Border Security Efforts in New Mexico
This photo captures a soldier from the 192nd Quartermaster Company, stationed in Milan, Ohio, as they sign off on a logbook while overseeing an area along the southern border near Santa Teresa, New Mexico, on January 28, 2025.
The soldier’s duties are part of the larger mission to enhance the border security infrastructure, as over 1,600 active-duty personnel have been deployed in the initial phase of the operation.
With this deployment, the total number of armed forces stationed along the southern border has reached nearly 4,000, strengthening the nation’s ability to address security challenges.
