“USNORTHCOM 101”

Overview Where we’ve come fromWhere we’ve come from Who we areWho we are What we doWhat we do What we don’t doWhat we don’t do SummarySummary QuestionsQuestions Where we’ve come fromWhere we’ve come from Who we areWho we are What we doWhat we do What we don’t doWhat we don’t do SummarySummary QuestionsQuestions

Where we’ve come from – a look back

Where we are now

The Area of Responsibility

Canada Mexico Puerto Rico United States U.S. Virgin Islands Cuba Bahamas The AOR includes U.S. territories, island nations and European possessions. It does not include Greenland. Alaska is in the AOR. Alaskan forces and the State of Hawaii remain within U.S. Pacific Command’s AOR. Who’s in the Area of Responsibility

Strategic environment has changed Shanksville, PA Washington, D.C. New York City

Who we are - U.S. Northern Command Gen. Eberhart A regional unified command for homeland defense A regional unified command for homeland defense ARNORTH NORTHAF MARFORNORTH NAVNORTH JOINT FORCE HQ - HLS JOINT TASK FORCE CIVIL SUPPORT JOINT TASK FORCE 6 CMOC ACCFORSCOM MARFORLANT CFFC/LANTFLT

NORTHCOM’s 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. 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.

Not a new mission “… against all enemies, foreign and domestic…”“… against all enemies, foreign and domestic…” Millions of service members have been taking this oath for many years.Millions of service members have been taking this oath for many years.

Homeland security & Homeland defense Homeland SecurityHomeland Security National, team effortNational, team effort Fights against terrorismFights against terrorism Homeland DefenseHomeland Defense Protects territory, sovereignty, population and infrastructure.Protects territory, sovereignty, population and infrastructure.

The USNORTHCOM shield

How NORTHCOM fits together PRESIDENT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF CDRARNORTH FORSCOM CDRNORTHAF ACCUSCG UNITED STATES NORTHERN COMMAND CDRMARFORNORTH MARFORLANT CFFC/LANTFLT CDRNAVNORTH JOINT TASK FORCE CIVIL SUPPORT JOINT TASK FORCE 6 JOINT FORCE HQ JOINT FORCE HQ HLS HLS CDRCMOC COMBATANT COMMANDS OTHER FEDERAL DEPARTMENTS & AGENCIES COMMAND RELATIONSHIP SUPPORTING/SUPPORTED RELATIONSHIP COORDINATING RELATIONSHIP DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY STATE GOV’S

Interagency coordination Federal Military

Who-does-what – and when FEDERAL STATE LOCAL

What we do… Regional combatant commandRegional combatant command Assistance to civil authoritiesAssistance to civil authorities

Actions since October 1, 2002 Hurricane Lili Washington, D.C. Sniper State of the Union Address Space Shuttle Columbia Exercises

What we don’t do… Not the police auxiliaryNot the police auxiliary Not taking the lead over federal, state or local agenciesNot taking the lead over federal, state or local agencies Not the police auxiliaryNot the police auxiliary Not taking the lead over federal, state or local agenciesNot taking the lead over federal, state or local agencies

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

Assistance to civil authorities CommunicationsCommunications Information sharingInformation sharing Special equipmentSpecial equipment Special skillsSpecial skills CommunicationsCommunications Information sharingInformation sharing Special equipmentSpecial equipment Special skillsSpecial skills

Summary Combatant CommandCombatant Command One-stop shop for MACAOne-stop shop for MACA When askedWhen asked When taskedWhen tasked Relationship buildingRelationship building

Visit for more information Questions

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 eagle’s talons. There are 13 leaves on the branch and 13 arrows, signifying the first thirteen 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 warrior’s 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 Command’s 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, 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.