United States Northern Command

Overview

The USNORTHCOM is a Unified Combatant Command of the United States Department of Defense (DoD). Established on October 1, 2002, its primary mission is to provide command and control of DoD homeland defense efforts and to coordinate defense support of civil authorities. USNORTHCOM's area of responsibility includes air, land, and sea approaches and encompasses the continental United States, Alaska, Canada, Mexico, and the surrounding waters out to approximately 500 nautical miles. The command is headquartered at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

History

The creation of USNORTHCOM was a direct response to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. The attacks highlighted the need for a dedicated military command to focus on homeland defense and to improve the coordination between military and civilian agencies in the event of domestic emergencies. Prior to USNORTHCOM's establishment, the responsibility for homeland defense was fragmented among various military commands, which sometimes led to inefficiencies and communication challenges.

Mission and Responsibilities

USNORTHCOM's primary mission is to deter, prevent, and defeat threats and aggression aimed at the United States, its territories, and interests within its area of responsibility. The command is also tasked with providing defense support to civil authorities, particularly in response to natural or man-made disasters. This support can include deploying military resources to assist in disaster relief operations, such as during hurricanes, wildfires, or pandemics.

USNORTHCOM operates in close collaboration with other federal agencies, such as the FEMA, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Health and Human Services, to ensure a coordinated response to domestic emergencies. The command also works with state and local governments, as well as with international partners, particularly Canada and Mexico, to enhance regional security.

Structure and Organization

USNORTHCOM is organized into several subordinate commands and components, each with specific responsibilities. These include:

**Joint Force Headquarters National Capital Region (JFHQ-NCR):** Responsible for planning, coordination, and execution of homeland defense and civil support missions in the National Capital Region.
**Joint Task Force Civil Support (JTF-CS):** Provides command and control for DoD forces deployed in response to chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and high-yield explosive incidents.
**Alaskan Command (ALCOM):** Oversees the defense of Alaska and coordinates with Canadian forces for the defense of North America.
**Army North (ARNORTH):** Serves as the Army component of USNORTHCOM, focusing on homeland defense and civil support operations.
**Air Force North (AFNORTH):** Provides air defense and air sovereignty for the continental United States, Alaska, and surrounding waters.
**Navy North (NAVNORTH):** Responsible for maritime homeland defense and support to civil authorities.

Operations and Exercises

USNORTHCOM conducts a variety of operations and exercises to fulfill its mission. These include:

**Operation Noble Eagle:** An ongoing operation that began after the September 11 attacks, focusing on homeland defense and support to federal, state, and local agencies.
**Exercise Vigilant Shield:** An annual exercise designed to test and improve USNORTHCOM's ability to respond to a wide range of threats and emergencies.
**Ardent Sentry:** A series of exercises that simulate natural and man-made disasters, allowing USNORTHCOM to practice its response capabilities and coordination with civilian agencies.

Partnerships and Collaboration

USNORTHCOM places a strong emphasis on building and maintaining partnerships with other military commands, federal agencies, state and local governments, and international allies. One of its key partnerships is with the NORAD, a bi-national command with Canada that provides aerospace warning, aerospace control, and maritime warning for North America.

The command also works closely with the USCG, which plays a critical role in maritime homeland security. Additionally, USNORTHCOM collaborates with the NGB to integrate National Guard forces into its operations and exercises.

Challenges and Future Directions

USNORTHCOM faces several challenges in fulfilling its mission, including the evolving nature of threats to the homeland, such as cyber attacks, terrorism, and natural disasters. The command must continuously adapt its strategies and capabilities to address these threats effectively.

Looking ahead, USNORTHCOM is focused on enhancing its capabilities in areas such as cyber defense, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. The command is also working to improve its interoperability with civilian agencies and international partners to ensure a seamless and coordinated response to any future threats or emergencies.