United States Northern Command

What It Is...

The United States Northern Command (NORTHCOM) was established on April 17, 2002 as part of a major change in the Unified Command Plan. As a direct result of the September 11th terrorist attacks, this Plan called for a concerted effort to refocus efforts on homeland security. For the first time since the Revolutionary War, the defense of mainland America is under a single military command.

NORTHCOM actually stood up at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado on October 1, 2002 where the commander is responsible for homeland defense and also serves as the head of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), a combined U.S., Canadian command.

Mission...

_"To 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."_

Military Assistance to Civil Authorities...

As directed by the President or Secretary of Defense (SECDEF), NORTHCOM can provide military support to civil authorities (MSCA). Specifically it:

• Employs in support of a Lead Federal Agency when local and state assets are overwhelmed or exhausted
• Employs when Department of Defense assistance is requested by the Primary Federal Agency and subsequently approved by SECDEF
• Provides military assistance to local civilian authorities in dealing with terrorist attacks, natural disasters and drug intervention operations -"consequence management operations"
• Provides military protection of America's borders, skies, coastal waters, and continental neighbors - described as "one-stop shopping"

Non-emergency Assistance to Civil Authorities...

NORTHCOM can provide the following non-emergency assistance to civil authorities when so directed by the President or SECDEF:

• Disaster preparedness planning
• Training and exercises
• Drug interdiction
• Security for special events - Olympics, Political Conventions, Chem/Bio Incidents

What It Does Not Do...

NORTHCOM does not function as a domestic military police force. It does not conduct armed patrols or spying, perform search and seizure operations or perform other roles reserved for civilian law enforcement. NORTHCOM does not infringe upon civil rights and liberties.

-- MikeLawrence - 22 Oct 2005