NORTHCOM 101

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USNORTHCOM 101 DETER ? PREVENT ? DEFEAT ?
MITIGATE Protecting Americans Where they Live
and Work
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What well explain today

• Why NORTHCOM?
• The mission
• Area of Responsibility
• Our organization
• Partners
• Operational examples
• Summary
• Questions

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Why NORTHCOM?
The Catalyst
Shanksville, PA
New York City
Washington, D.C.
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NORTHCOMs Mission

• Conduct operations to deter, prevent and defeat
  threats and aggression aimed at the United
  States, its territories, and interests within the
  assigned area of responsibility
• As directed by the President or Secretary of
  Defense, provide military assistance to civil
  authorities including consequence management
  operations.

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Not a new mission

• against all enemies, foreign and domestic
• Millions of service members have been taking this
  oath for many years.

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Our Area of Responsibility
U.S. European Command
U.S. Pacific Command
U.S. Southern Command
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Whos in the Area of Responsibility ?
Bermuda
Canada
Cuba
Bahamas
British VirginIslands
United States
St Pierre Miquelon
Turks Caicos Islands
Mexico
NORTHCOMs Area of Responsibility (AOR) includes
U.S. territories, island nations and European
possessions. Alaska is in the AOR. Alaskan
forces and the State of Hawaii remain within U.S.
Pacific Commands AOR. Our AOR does not
include Greenland.
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Our Organization
JOINT FORCE HQ - HLS
NORTHAF
NAVNORTH
ARNORTH
MARFORNORTH
CMOC
CFFC/LANTFLT
ACC
FORSCOM
MARFORLANT
A regional unified command for homeland defense
Gen. Eberhart
JOINT TASK FORCE CIVIL SUPPORT
JOINT TASK FORCE 6
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Our Partners
U.S. Department of Agriculture
U.S. Department of Transportation
U.S. Department of the Interior
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How we operate

• Homeland Defense

• Homeland Security is a national effort

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Only when directed

• Provide
• military assistance
• to civil authorities
• when requested
• and
• when directed.

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Who-does-what and when
FEDERAL
STATE
LOCAL
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Assistance to civil authorities

• Special skills
• Special equipment
• Communications
• Information sharing

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Operational Examples
Washington, D.C. Sniper State of the Union
Address Space Shuttle Columbia Multi-agency
Exercises Wildland Firefighting Hurricane
Isabel
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What we dont do

• Not the police auxiliary
• Not taking the lead over federal, state or local
  agencies
• Dont create policy or allocate resources

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Summary

• Homeland Defense is job one
• DoDs one-stop shop for MACA
• When asked
• When tasked
• Continuing to build relationships

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Questions
Visit www.northcom.mil for more information
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• In the forefront is the American eagle,
  symbolizing our great nation and our commitment
  to national security. Representing peace and war
  are the olive branch and arrows held in the
  eagles talons. There are 13 leaves on the
  branch and 13 arrows, signifying the first 13
  states. The eagle's head is turned toward the
  olive branch, indicating our desire for peace.
• On the eagle's chest is a shield, a warriors
  primary piece of defensive equipment. The 13
  alternating red (courage and fortitude) and white
  (peace and sincerity) bars on the shield
  represent the 13 original colonies. The chief
  (the upper part of the shield), in blue, embodies
  the colonies strength, vigilance and
  perseverance. The chief holds 13 six-pointed
  stars, a reference to the six-pointed design from
  General George Washington's personal flag. This
  flag was flown during his winter encampment at
  Valley Forge. General Washington had a personal
  protection force, which consisted of a few
  hand-picked men from each of the colonies. This
  special guard carried these colors. The symbols
  from the Washington flag are a reminder of the
  efforts of the Continental Army, who served as
  our nation's first military organization to free
  and protect our homeland. 
• The terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001,
  provided the impetus for the formation of United
  States Northern Command to defend our homeland.
  A depiction of United States Northern Commands
  area of responsibility is in the background,
  shielded by the eagle. On the area of
  responsibility are three gold stars, signifying
  each of the attack sites of September 11, 2001.
  These gold stars pay tribute to those who lost
  their lives, reminiscent of the Gold Star Mothers
  and Widows who lost family members in service to
  our nation. The "gold star" tradition began in
  World War I when white service flags were
  displayed from homes, businesses, schools and
  churches. These flags contained blue stars,
  representing loved ones serving in the military.
  Gold stars stitched over blue stars subsequently
  showed those who gave their lives for our
  country, and the devotion and pride of their
  family.
• The five stars at the top of the crest represent
  the five services Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines
  and Coast Guard. The stars are eight-pointed,
  signifying the eight points on a compass, and
  symbolizing our mission to counter the global
  threat of terrorism. The stars are lined up over
  the area of responsibility, depicting the
  umbrella of protection that United States
  Northern Command provides North America.
• The outside rings of red, blue and red with the
  white lettering of the Command's name are
  representative of the colors of the Nation and
  our national flag.