A Short History of USNORTHCOM

A Short History of

UNITED STATES

RTHERN COMMAND

U.S. Northern Command

Office of History

Admiral William "Bill" Gortney

Commander, U.S. Northern Command

Dec. 5, 2014 - present

Table of Contents

NARRATIVE .................................................................. 4

The Beginning .................................................................. 4

Defense Support for Civil Authorities ............................. 5

Into the Future ................................................................ 10

U.S. Northern Command Chronology ........................... 14

U. S. Northern Command Lineage and Honors ............. 19

U.S. Northern Command Emblem ................................. 21

U.S. Northern Command Leaders .................................. 22

U.S. Northern Command Area of Responsibility .......... 24

U.S. Northern Command Organization .......................... 25

U.S. Northern Command Notable Responses ................ 26

NARRATIVE

The Beginning

Prompted by the September 11, 2001 (9/11) terrorist attacks on American soil, U.S.

Northern Command’s mission is to deter, prevent and defeat threats and aggression aimed at the

United States, its territories, and interests. To this end personnel from the Army, Navy, Air

Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard are assigned to coordinate the protection of North

America from external threats, drawing on the full capabilities of all U.S. military services,

including the National Guard and Coast Guard, as necessary. Additionally, the command is

charged with providing defense support for civil authorities when approved by the President or

Secretary of Defense. U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) also provides military

resources and support to federal, state and local authorities.

The horrific attacks of September 11, 2001 led to the creation of U.S. Northern

Command

The activation of USNORTHCOM on October 1, 2002, marked the first time a single

military commander has been charged with protecting the U.S. homeland since the days of

George Washington. Its area of responsibility (AOR) includes all air, land and sea approaches to

North America, encompassing the continental U.S., Alaska, Canada, Mexico and the surrounding

water areas out to approximately 500 nautical miles.

Through its first year USNORTHCOM faced the usual hurdles of building a command—

acquiring needed manpower, defining the correct organization and relationships, writing the

necessary plans related to its mission, and conducting training and exercises. USNORTHCOM,

however, also was challenged with “real world” issues as it built its way to full operational

capability. These challenges included, developing communication with other Department of

Defense organizations and external federal agencies, responding to a space shuttle accident,

providing assistance to natural disasters, and providing support to an expanding list of special

national security events and presidential mission support. By the end of its first year,

USNORTHCOM demonstrated it could not only meet its developing capability goals, but also its

operational challenges. Therefore the first commander, Air Force General Ralph E. “Ed”

Eberhart, was able to declare the command had reached full operational capability on the second

anniversary of the terrorist attack on September 11, 2003. He stated, “This is not an end state.

This is, in fact, part of a journey. We’ll never truly reach full operational capability. We are

always going to be striving to be better.”

Defense Support for Civil Authorities

Through 2010 the command has not had to respond to a large scale threat calling for

military intervention and its efforts in this area remain focused on preparation and prevention.

The command was, however, frequently called upon to respond to requests from civil authorities

to provide assistance during and in the wake of national disasters. The Department of Defense

(DOD) already had a doctrine for handling disasters before the creation of USNORTHCOM.

The command refined that doctrine to serve as a mechanism for interaction between DOD and

civil authorities with each disaster it faced. Usually National Guard forces operating under their

state’s government were the primary provider of military assistance. However if those forces

were overwhelmed or a particular need best met by the military was required, USNORTHCOM

employed forces, equipment, and/or expertise upon request. This was a key distinction. The

command had no intention of superseding civil authorities. Rather, the philosophy behind

USNORTHCOM’s participation in defense support for civil authorities was to be prepared at all

times but only to act when requested and to depart just as soon as their support was no longer

required.

The majority of disasters in which the command provided assistance were natural, such

as hurricanes, floods, and wildfires. There were exceptions, most notably the Space Shuttle

Columbia re-entry disaster which scattered debris across parts of Texas and Louisiana in

February 2003; the collapse of an Interstate 35 bridge in Minneapolis occurring in August 2007;

and a massive oil spill created by the failure of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Platform in the Gulf

of Mexico from the spring through the summer of 2010.

It did not take long until the defense support capabilities of the new command were

tested. In fact, the first event came on October 2, 2002, just one day after USNORTHCOM

stood up, when Hurricane Lilli struck the gulf coast with 100 mile an hour winds causing

extensive damage. In 2003 USNORTHCOM contributed to the Space Shuttle Colombia disaster

response in February, provided airborne fire fighting capability during the intense wildfire

season in the western United States occurring through the summer and fall, and provided disaster

relief in the aftermath of Hurricane Isabel, which struck the eastern seaboard in September.

A Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS) equipped C-130

drops retardant on a wildland fire

The summer of 2004 saw another significant wildfire season and again USNORTHCOM

provided air assets to combat them. Just as the wildfire season was winding down,

USNORTHCOM responded to a string of three hurricanes in rapid succession beginning with

Charley in August which hammered Charlotte County, Florida and also hit the Carolinas.

Charley was followed two weeks later by Hurricane Frances in early September which made

landfall in Central Florida and continued up the east coast as a tropical depression, affecting the

weather as far north as southeastern Canada. Before the remnants of Hurricane Frances had

completely dissipated, Ivan, the third hurricane in the string, struck near Gulf Shores, Alabama.

In addition to the damage caused along the coastline, the storm spawned 117 tornadoes from

Florida to Pennsylvania.

In 2005 the command faced its most significant disaster to date: Hurricane Katrina.

Hurricane Katrina started as a tropical depression on August 23, 2005. Already geared up for a

predicted busy hurricane season, USNORTHCOM began tracking Katrina. As it became evident

that this hurricane would strike the United States specific actions were decided upon and

executed. Meanwhile, Katrina gained strength as it headed for Florida. Making landfall there on

25 August as a Class 1 hurricane, it caused approximately $2 billon of damage, killing 14.

Katrina then crossed the Gulf of Mexico, intensifying to a Category 5 hurricane and headed for

the gulf coast locales of Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. As Katrina approached the coast it

weakened and on August 29 Katrina made landfall again, this time as a Category 3 hurricane,

inundating New Orleans as levees protecting the city failed, and inflicting wide spread damage

across the region. In total the effects of the storm were staggering, causing roughly $80 billion

damage and killing more than 1,800.

Tech. Sgt. Keith Berry, a pararescueman with the 304th Rescue Squadron

from Portland, Oregon, looks down on flooded streets searching for survivors

over New Orleans. He is part of an Air Force Reserve team credited with

saving more than 1,040 people in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. .

As the storm subsided, USNORTHCOM forces deployed to the region, under the

direction of Joint Task Force Katrina commander Lieutenant General Russel Honoré and

conducted recovery operations at the request of civil authorities. More than 22,000 personnel

from every branch of the U.S. military participated in the effort which included search and

rescue; security assessment, advice, and technical assistance; evacuation; recovery of deceased

persons; health and medical support; debris removal; restoration of infrastructure; logistics,

including distribution of food, water, and ice; temporary shelter; long-range communications;

housing of FEMA officials and relief workers; and provision of geospatial products and

evaluations. Hurricane Rita, following closely on the heels of Katrina, battered the still reeling

gulf coast region in late September. In between those two storms USNORTHCOM provided air

and water craft in response to a request from civil authorities when Hurricane Ophelia slammed

into the Carolinas in the middle of that month.

The command enjoyed a respite in 2006 as there were no major disasters to contend with.

The break was short lived as wildfires returned with a vengeance to the western United States in

2007, prompting a USNORTHCOM response. Particularly hard-hit was California in the fall. In

2008 USNORTHCOM responded to spring flooding in the central United States and another

round of California wildfires in the summer. As the command’s role in fighting the wildfires was

drawing to a close, a string of three hurricanes—Gustav, Hanna, and Ike—struck the United

States during a thirteen-day span in August and September. Gustav and Ike made landfall along

the shores of the Gulf of Mexico, in Louisiana and Texas, respectively. Sandwiched between the

two gulf storms, Hanna struck the North Carolina coast. These three near simultaneous events in

two different regions provided quite a challenge for USNORTHCOM but the men and women of

the command proved up to the task.

U. S. Marines clearing rubble in the aftermath of the January 2010 Haiti Earthquake

The next large scale response USNORTHCOM participated in was Operation UNIFIED

RESPONSE, the DOD’s contribution to the international relief effort following the devastating

January 2010 earthquake in Haiti, led by U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM). Because

Haiti was located in USSOUTHCOM’s Area of Responsibility that command was designated as

the supported command. However, USSOUTHCOM relied heavily on USNORTHCOM’s

expertise in disaster response. True to form, USNORTHCOM delivered, providing key experts

in logistics, operational planning and interagency coordination, including communications

planners and satellite communications specialists, and chaplains.

Consolidating Command and Control

A significant milestone in the maturation of the command and the cementing of ties

between North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and USNORTHCOM was

the consolidation of the NORAD and USNORTHCOM command centers. Between 2002 and

2008 the USNORTHCOM and the NORAD command centers had operated as two separate

entities at two different locations, Peterson Air Force Base and Cheyenne Mountain Air Force

Station, respectively. As the missions of the two commands became more interwoven over time

it made less and less sense to operate apart. This situation led to the consolidation of the two

command centers. In addition, the separate locations made it difficult for the dual-hatted

NORAD and USNORTHCOM to lead during contingencies. An example of the potential

repercussions of this came in the pre-USNORTHCOM era. During the 9/11 attacks Air Force

General Ralph Eberhart, at the time the NORAD and U.S. Space Command commander, was

caught between his headquarters at Peterson and the NORAD command center at Cheyenne

Mountain and was unable to receive telephone calls at a time when critical decisions needed to

be made and communicated.

The NORAD and USNORTHCOM Command Center, May 2008.

In 2006 Admiral Timothy Keating took the situation in hand, initiating the consolidation.

He selected Peterson as the primary location with Cheyenne Mountain serving as the alternate.

Affirming his decision, Admiral Keating said, “I have found, over the course of several pretty

extensive, rigorous exercises, that I'm able to get as good or better situational awareness in the

command center ... at Peterson," Over the next two years facilities and equipment were readied

for the consolidated command center and the effort culminated with a ribbon cutting attended by

senior officials from the U.S. and Canada held on May 8, 2008, the day after NORAD’s 50th

anniversary celebration.

Spreading the Word

General Victor Renuart’s March 2007 through May 2010 tenure as Commander,

USNORTHCOM, saw the maturation of strategic communication. General Renuart was

continually plagued by the question, “what does USNORTHCOM do?” Desiring a consistent

command message both internally and externally, General Renuart oversaw the establishment of

architecture dedicated to ensuring the command’s story was being effectively and factually told.

It was during this period six recurring themes emerged:

• USNORTHCOM remains vigilant to anticipate, deter, detect, and defeat threats to the

homeland

• USNORTHCOM supports primary agencies and state and local authorities as directed

• USNORTHCOM anticipates requests, actions, and requirements to support developing

situations

•

Active, Guard, Reserve, and civilian Department of Defense efforts are unified in their

disaster support

• The U.S. and Canada are partners in managing continental events

• Our defense relationship with Mexico is as good as it has ever been

Into the Future

In May 2010 Admiral James “Sandy” Winnefeld, U.S. Navy, assumed command of

USNORTHCOM. Admiral Winnefeld’s vision for the command was to identify major mission

focus areas and assign teams drawn from the command’s various directorates to work together

collaboratively across disciplines. These areas included:

• Counter Terrorism and Force Protection

• Support to the Government of Mexico in its conflict with Transnational Criminal

Organizations

• Defense Support for Civil Authorities

• Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and High-Yield Explosives (CBRN)

Consequence Management

• Maritime Warning and Control

• Aerospace Warning and Control

• Missile Defense

• The Arctic

This effort synergistically addressed matters faced by the command while leaving the

directorates in place to resolve issues brought back to them by their respective focus team

members. It was in this posture that USNORTHCOM faced the future.

“We Have the Watch”

In Aug 2011 Admiral Winnefeld was appointed the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of

Staff and General Charles H. Jacoby, Jr., U.S. Army, assumed command of U.S. Northern

Command. The first Army general officer to command USNORTHCOM, General Jacoby

modified the USNORTHCOM mission statement slightly by adding the word "partners" to better

reflect the importance of mission partners in all that the command did. The new

USNORTHCOM mission reads

The United States Northern Command partners to conduct homeland defense,

civil support, and security cooperation to defend and secure the United States and

its interests.

General Jacoby laid out his priorities for the command:

• Expand and strengthen our trusted partnerships

• Advance and sustain the binational military command

•

Gain and maintain all-domain situational awareness

• Advocate and develop capabilities in our core mission areas to outpace all threats

• Take care of our people; they are our foundation

He also established a vision for the Command:

With our trusted partners, we will defend North America by outpacing all threats,

maintaining faith with our people and supporting them in their times of greatest need.

“WE HAVE THE WATCH”

2012 normalized USNORTHCOM’s roles and missions and demonstrated that years of

practice indeed bore fruit for the United States. Exercise ARDENT SENTRY 12 prepared

planners to deal with command and control during a complex catastrophe. The exercise was

premised upon an earthquake along the New Madrid fault and involved numerous states. The

“New Madrid” scenario became the baseline for what a true complex catastrophe might look

like. Exercise VIGILANT SHIELD conducted in October 2012 prepared USNORTHCOM and

NORAD staff members for an attack on the homeland through the use of ballistic and cruise

missiles.

Real world events also occurred in 2012 including the Waldo Canyon Fire a wildfire in

the Colorado Springs area. At its peak the fire was less than 12 miles from the USNORTHCOM

headquarters and forced General Jacoby to close his blinds to keep from watching the fires.

USNORTHCOM deployed C-130 Modular Airborne Firefighting System aircraft to support the

federal wild land firefighting effort. Without hesitation, the courageous Airmen operating these

aircraft continually put their lives at great risk to save and protect American lives and property

during these wildfires.

Hurricane Sandy brought tragedy to the homes of many Americans. In response,

USNORTHCOM moved capabilities to aid FEMA and other government agencies. The lessons

learned on improving interagency coordination from previous DSCA operations paid tremendous

dividends during the hurricane season. The motto throughout Hurricane Sandy was from

General Jacoby was: "Lean forward, anticipate our partners' requirements, and don't be late to

need." Maintaining this posture during the early stages of the hurricane, USNORTHCOM

supported multiple Governor requests for DSCs in close coordination with the Secretary of

Defense, the National Guard Bureau, and the Services. As the hurricane made landfall, two of

the affected States, New Jersey and New York, established DSCs for response and recovery.

Working with FEMA, the National Guard Bureau, and the individual Slates, USNORTHCOM

estimated required support and prepositioned Title 10 resources in the region in order to respond

as soon as requested. The DSCs provided critical leadership to achieve greater unity of effort

between federal and state military forces in preparing for and responding to the devastating

effects of this hurricane. As a result, USNORTHCOM was able to support federal, state, and

local partners by facilitating power restoration, dewatering support, fuel distribution,

transportation, and public health and safety support.

Air Force crews offload Southern California Edison power repair equipment from a C-5 Galaxy on

Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh, N.Y., Nov. 1, 2012

USNORTHCOM also leveraged relationships with United States Transportation

Command and interagency partners to execute the strategic and ground movements of DOD

assets and private/commercial power utility company trucks and personnel. In total,

USNORTHCOM directed the movement of 253 sorties, hauling 4,204 short tons and 1,128

passengers. These numbers included the movement of 260 power restoration vehicles and 429

personnel from western states to New York and New Jersey.

Local events dominated USNORTHCOM’s responses in 2013. Forrest Fires in Colorado

Springs followed by heavy flooding in the same area as well as Boulder brought the DSCA

mission to the homes of NORTHCOM personnel. The Black Forest Fire in Colorado Springs

began on the June 11

and lasted for more than a week. It engulfed nearly 15,000 acres, 485

structures, and led to mass evacuations in a densely populated area. Less than two months later,

the city of Colorado Springs was hit again with massive flooding that destroyed local tourist

attractions and numerous roads. This flooding encompassed other cities including the city of

Boulder. Statewide there were 12,000 evacuations, 1,502 homes destroyed and 200 commercial

properties as well as seven confirmed fatalities.

In 2013, USNORTHCOM also rounded out its subordinate commands. In February, the

Secretary of Defense designated the commander of U.S. Fleet Forces command as the

commander, Naval Forces North (NAVNORTH) to serve as the Navy service element to

USNORTHCOM. This was followed in November, when General Jacoby activated Special

Operations Command, North (SOCNORTH). US NORTHCOM also expanded security

cooperation with Mexico by training 5,000 Mexican soldier and Marines. Since 2010, there was

a 500% increase in requests for assistance between Mexico and the U.S. This demonstrated a

growing and blossoming relationship between the two nations as both countries worked on

boarder security and counter narcotics operations as part of the Security Cooperation mission set.

U.S. Northern Command Chronology

2002-2012

2002

1 Oct U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) stood up at Peterson AFB with

General Ralph E. Eberhart, USAF, assuming command. In conjunction with the

activation, Joint Forces Headquarters Homeland Security, Joint Task Force Civil

Support, Joint Task Force 6, and the Joint Regional Medical Planning Program

were transferred from U.S. Joint Forces Command to USNORTHCOM. General

Eberhart also retained command of the North American Aerospace Defense

Command (NORAD), a separate, bi-national (United States and Canada)

command.

2003

1 Feb The space shuttle Columbia disintegrated as it re-entered Earth’s atmosphere,

killing all seven astronauts and scattering debris from Dallas, Texas to Lake

Charles, Louisiana. USNORTHCOM participated in the response to the event,

along with the National Military Command Center, U.S. Strategic Command

(USSTRATCOM), NASA, and other civilian federal agencies.

25 Mar USNORTHCOM requested approval from the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff

(CJCS) and the Secretary of Defense (SecDef) to establish a Joint Task Force

(JTF) for the National Capital Region (NCR) that reported to USNORTHCOM.

The JTF would provide a focal point for planning and command and control for

homeland defense (HD) and military assistance to civil authorities within the

NCR.

27 Apr USNORTHCOM published its strategic concept for ballistic missile defense,

defining the command’s responsibility for the employment of ballistic missile

defense forces to defend the United States.

18-26 Aug USNORTHCOM completed Exercise DETERMINED PROMISE 2003. As a

result of the successful completion of the exercise, General Eberhart declared that

USNORTHCOM had reached Full Operational Capability on 11 September 2003.

2004

1 Oct USNORTHCOM published its Theater Security Cooperation strategy. The

strategy outlined several goals for establishing cooperative ties with Mexico,

Canada, and nations in the Caribbean.

5 Nov Admiral Timothy J. Keating assumed command of NORAD and

USNORTHCOM from General Ralph E. Eberhart.

2005

8 Jul Admiral Keating, Commander USNORTHCOM, and LTG H. Steven Blum,

Chief, National Guard Bureau, signed a Memorandum of Agreement to delineate

the relationship between the two organizations.

Aug–Sep USNORTHCOM supported Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita recovery

efforts in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. President George W. Bush spent 23-

24 September at USNORTHCOM monitoring Hurricane Rita as it moved toward

the Louisiana and Texas Gulf Coast.

22 Nov Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld approved the USNORTHCOM Concept

Plan for Homeland Defense, which detailed operations to deter, prevent, and

defeat threats and aggressions aimed at the United States and its interests within

its area of responsibility (AOR).

2006

11 Mar The Commander, USNORTHCOM, approved the concept plan outlining Defense

Support for Civil Authorities (DSCA).

28 Jul Upon review of several studies and reports, Admiral Keating announced the

decision to relocate and combine the NORAD Command Center with the

USNORTHCOM Command Center at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado

Springs, Colorado.

15 Aug The Secretary of Defense selected USNORTHCOM as the “global synchronizer”

in the Global Response to Pandemic Influenza.

2007

Jan The Secretary of Defense approved USNORTHCOM’s Concept Plan for

Emergency Preparedness in the National Capitol Region (NCR), which integrated

operations in the NCR under a single combatant commander, and synchronized

DOD activities and existing federal, state, tribal and local emergency

preparedness efforts.

29 Jan USNORTHCOM received confirmation from the Missile Defense Agency that

the ballistic missile defense system would expand in 2007 by stationing more

interceptors at Fort Greely, Alaska; providing more U.S. Navy Aegis equipped

ships with missile-defense engagement capability; and bringing an early-warning

radar online in the United Kingdom.

1 Feb The Secretary of Defense approved the USNORTHCOM Concept Plan for

Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, or high-yield Explosives (CBRNE)

Consequence Management. The concept plan outlined consequence management

in the 48 contiguous states, the District of Columbia, Alaska, Puerto Rico and the

U.S. Virgin Islands, to support civil authorities in response to CBRNE situations.

23 Mar General Victor E. Renuart, Jr. assumed command of NORAD and

USNORTHCOM from Admiral Timothy J. Keating.

1 Aug A four-lane bridge on I-35 crossing the Mississippi River between Minneapolis

and St. Paul, Minnesota, collapsed into the river during rush hour.

USNORTHCOM activated the FEMA Region Defense Coordinating Officer

(DCO) and deployed a U.S. Navy mobile dive and salvage unit to assist with the

response and recovery operations.

12-13 Sep General Renuart, unveiled the NORAD and USNORTHCOM Vision 2020, and

his strategy for the development of a theater campaign plan that synchronized

National Defense Strategy, guidance for employment of forces, global campaigns

and contingency plans, and Theater Security Cooperation planning.

23-31 Oct USNORTHCOM provided unique military capabilities, forces, and assets to

southern California wildfire disaster response operations in support of the

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Federal Emergency Management

Agency (FEMA), the Department of the Interior/National Interagency Fire

Center, and state and local officials.

2008

25 Feb General Renuart issued Operations Order 01-08, Reorganization of

USNORTHCOM and Operations, which improved command and control, and

coordination with USNORTHCOM’s service and functional components.

13 May NORAD and USNORTHCOM unveiled its new integrated command center in a

ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by the Secretary of Defense. The command

center enhanced NORAD and USNORTHCOM’s ability to integrate situational

awareness and respond to major events and disasters, man-made or natural, in

North America.

29-31 May As part of USNORTHCOM’s efforts to enhance relations with Mexican military

organizations, Mexico’s Bicameral Defense Commission of the Mexican

Congress visited HQ USNORTHCOM for the first time and received briefings on

the command, its mission, responsibilities, and role in defense of the U.S.

Homeland.

10-20 Jun In response to request for assistance, USNORTHCOM directed forces to help

local and state personnel to mitigate damage caused by extensive flooding in

several Midwestern states.

21 Jun- Wildfires in California overwhelmed the state’s fire-fighting capabilities. Upon

20 Jul request, USNORTHCOM provided two fire-fighting C-130 aircraft, aircrews,

support personnel and equipment, and a Defense Coordinating Officer (DCO)/

Defense Coordinating Element (DCE) to conduct wildland fire-fighting

operations in support of the effort.

Aug- Sep USNORTHCOM monitored and responded to three tropical storms and three

hurricanes in the Southeastern and Gulf states. Prior to landfall, USNORTHCOM

pre-positioned personnel and equipment ready to respond to Hurricanes Gustav

and Ike. Coordinated planning and execution accounted for prompt action by

disaster response forces and facilitated rapid recovery operations.

25 Sep The USNORTHCOM Theater Campaign Plan was approved and signed by the

commander. This milestone signaled a major step forward in command and

control, bringing all operational and concept plans and associated capabilities

under one over-arching strategic document, providing a means for continuing

assessment and improvement in the command’s lines of operation.

17 Dec The 2008 Unified Command Plan (UCP) expanded USNORTHCOM’s

responsibilities by adding the Bahamas, Turk and Caicos Islands, Puerto Rico, the

U.S. Virgin Islands, and the British Virgin Islands to the USNORTHCOM AOR.

2009

7-9 Jan The commanders of USNORTHCOM and U.S. Southern Command

(USSOUTHCOM) met to conduct a comprehensive overview of the threats and

challenges that the U.S. Southwest border presented. Crucial topics presented

were the Border threat, the Merida Initiatives, Theater Security Cooperation with

Mexico, and Interagency Coordination.

Feb/Mar USNORTHCOM issued a pre-decisional White Paper titled Strategic Implications

of Arctic Change. Recognizing the climatic changes in the Arctic regions and the

multi-nation maneuvering to establish territorial rights and claims, the command

prepared its statement on the need to formulate and develop international policy

directed toward influencing the formative Arctic regime.

13 Nov The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff awarded Headquarters, NORAD and

USNORTHCOM the Joint Meritorious Unit Award for exceptionally meritorious

service achievement for the period 1 Jan 2007 to 31 December 2008.

2010

Jan-Mar A catastrophic magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti the morning of 12 Jan. With

the epicenter near Léogâne, approximately 16 miles west of the capital, Port-au-

Prince, the quake caused major damage to Haiti’s infrastructure, killed thousands,

and left hundreds of thousands of people homeless. USNORTHCOM supported

USSOUTHCOM’s response to the disaster by providing key experts in logistics,

operational planning and interagency coordination, including communications

planners and satellite communications specialists, and chaplains. The

humanitarian relief effort was referred to as Operation UNIFIED RESPONSE.

12-28 Feb USNORTHCOM supported the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in British

Columbia, Canada, by providing military-to-military support to Canada

Command in the USNORTHCOM AOR to enhance Canadian forces ' capabilities

in the event of a disaster. In support of the Winter Games, USNORTHCOM

deployed 960 personnel to Washington state, and Vancouver, British Columbia.

21 Apr The DEEPWATER HORIZON, a Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit in the Gulf of

Mexico, reported a huge explosion and fire on its platform. Due to structural

and drilling equipment damage to the facility, a massive oil spill resulted that

went on for months. The oil spill moved toward the coastline threatening an

extensive ecological and economic disaster in the region. USNORTHCOM

support in response to the disaster began on 28 April and continued through

15 September 2010.

19 May In a formal Change of Command ceremony, Admiral James S. Winnefeld, Jr.

assumed command of NORAD and USNORTHCOM from General Victor E.

Renuart, Jr.

2011

19 -29 Mar USNORTHCOM supported USPACOM in the airlift operations of repatriation of

DOD dependents from Japan to the United States. During this operation, referred

to as PACIFIC PASSAGE, USNORTHCOM's ARNORTH established joint

repatriation coordination centers (JRCC) at Seattle-Tacoma IAP, Denver IAP, and

at Travis AFB, CA. During this operation involving contracted commercial

airlines, the JRCCs processed a total of 5,304 people arriving in the United States.

6 Apr President Obama signed the 2011 Unified Command Plan (UCP). The UCP gave

USNORTHCOM responsibility to advocate for Arctic capabilities.

15-22 Apr The Government of Mexico (GOM) requested help from the United States to

provide aerial firefighting capability to assist in wild land firefighting (WFF)

operations in the remote mountains of northern Mexico's Coahuila area. The

Department of State requested DOD to provide heavy aircraft outfitted with

modular airborne fire fighting system (MAFFS) and support equipment, to

facilitate the GOM response to contain the fires. On 15 Apr

CDRUSNORTHCOM received a CJCS EXORD, directing DOD support to the

GOM for WFF. In response, USNORTHCOM directed MAFFS aircraft from the

302 AW to deploy. The event was the first time Mexico requested this type of

assistance from the United States military.

16-19 May USNORTHCOM conducted Exercise ARDENT SENTRY 2011(AS11) to

exercise Defense Support of Civil Authorities. The exercise scenario involved two

major earthquakes in the New Madrid Seismic Zone and Wabash Valley Seismic

Zone.

3 Aug In a brief ceremony in USNORTHCOM’s Washington Office, Lieutenant General

Charles H. Jacoby, Jr., assumed command of NORAD and USNORTHCOM from

Admiral James S. Winnefeld, Jr.

5 Aug Lieutenant General Jacoby was promoted to General, to accept complete authority

and full responsibilities for NORAD and USNORTHCOM.

25-29 Aug USNORTHCOM provides support for Hurricane Irene relief efforts along the

East coast. The Hurricane skirted the majority of the East coast dropping torential

rain but little in the way of large-scale damage. In the relief efforts DSCA from

the Sea emerges as concept of operations for future operations.

1 -10 Nov NORAD and USNORTHCOM conducted Exercise Vigilant Shield 12 (VS12) to

exercise Homeland Defense plans.

2012

2-9 May NORAD and USNORTHCOM conducted Exercise ARDENT SENTRY, a

USJFCOM-supported, exercise series designed to train NORAD and

USNORTHCOM in homeland security processes with an emphasis on Defense

Support of Civil Authorities.

26 Jun-9 Jul USNORTHCOM responded to the Waldo Canyon Fire in Colorado Springs.

Several USNORTHCOM team members lost their homes to the blaze and many

more were forced to evacuate. However, the command continued to execute its

missions.

1 Oct General Jacoby celebrated the command’s tenth anniversary by naming the HQ

NORAD and USNORTHCOM Building the “Eberhart-Findley Building” for the

first commander, General Ralph E. Eberhart, USAF, and his NORAD Deputy

Commander, Lieutenant-General Eric A. Findley, CF.

22-29 Oct USNORTHCOM conducted Exercise VIGILANT SHIELD, a homeland defense

exercise that saw the doors of Cheyenne Mountain AFS close for the first time for

over 24 hours.

26 Oct-31 Dec USNORTHCOM responded to Hurricane Sandy. Relief efforts include a U.S.

Navy Amphibious Readiness Group and more than 4,000 Title 10 Forces and

4,000 National Guard Forces under the command of Dual Status Commanders in

New York and New Jersey.

2013

Feb Secretary of Defense established the commander of Fleet Forces Command as

commander, U.S. Naval Forces North (NAVNORTH).

11-19 June USNORTHCOM responded to the Colorado Springs Black Forest Fire. It was the

second major fire for the city in two years. The fire destroyed 15,000 acres and

more than 485 structures, most of them homes.

June-Aug NORAD and USNORTHCOM civilian personnel were placed on administrative

furlough one day a week, two days a pay period for six weeks. Initially scheduled

to last through the end of the fiscal year, DOD shortened the period in August.

11-16 Sept USNORTHCOM responded to dangerous flooding in Colorado in the Colorado

Springs and Boulder areas. Thousands of homes and other structures were

destroyed leading to more than 10,000 evacuated persons.

5 Nov General Jacoby activated U.S. Special Operations Command North

(SOCNORTH) to work with interagency and regional partners.

Dec 5

In a formal change of command ceremony, Adm. William "Bill" Gortney assumed

command of NORAD and USNORTHCOM from Gen. Charles Jacoby.

U. S. Northern Command Lineage and Honors

As of 31 December 2012

Unit Designation: United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM)

Previous Designation: None

Authority: Established 1 October 2002, per Unified Command Plan 2002,

April 2002.

Higher Headquarters: Secretary of Defense. The 1986 Goldwater-Nichols Act, Section

164, established that the chain of command for combatant

commanders (such as Commander, USNORTHCOM) flowed from

the President to the Secretary of Defense, and that combatant

commanders performed their duties under the authority, direction,

and control of the Secretary of Defense.

Station: Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Awards & Decorations: Joint Meritorious Unit Award, 1 Oct 02-30 Sep 04

Joint Meritorious Unit Award, 1 Jan 07-31 Dec 08

Joint Meritorious Unit Award, 1 Jan 10 – 31 Dec 11

Joint Meritorious Unit Award, 1 Jan12 – 31 Dec 12

Joint Meritorious Unit Award, awarded to Joint

Activities of the Armed Forces of the US which have

distinguished themselves by exceptionally

meritorious achievement or service in pursuit of

joint military missions of great significance.

U.S. Northern Command Emblem

In the forefront is the Eagle, symbolizing our great Nation and our alertness; ready to defend our

homeland. Its right claw holds an olive branch and its left clutches a group of 13 arrows, the symbols for

peace and war representing 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 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, in blue, represents their strength, vigilance and perseverance. The chief holds

thirteen 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 guard, which consisted of a few handpicked 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, which served as our Nation’s first military organization to free and

protect the homeland, and relate their great undertaking to the task set before us in the defense of North

America.

A depiction of the United States Northern Command’s Area of Responsibility (AOR) is in the

background, shielded by the Eagle. On the AOR are three stars, a remembrance of each of the sites of the

terrorist attacks on 11 September 2001. These attacks gave impetus to the formation of U.S. Northern

Command (USNORTHCOM). The stars are gold, a symbol of those who lost their lives. During the early

years of World War I, a service banner was hung in the window of homes where there was a family

member in the war. A Blue Star on the banner represented each family member. As the war progressed

and men were killed or wounded in combat, and/or died of their wounds or disease, there came to be

accepted usage of the Gold Star. This Gold Star was substituted and superimposed upon the Blue Star in

such a manner as to entirely cover it. The Gold Star accorded the rightful honor and glory to the person

for giving the supreme sacrifice to his country.

The five stars at the top of the crest represent the five services: United States Army, Navy, Air

Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. The stars are eight-pointed, representing the eight points on a

compass and symbolizing our mission to counter the global threat of terrorism. The stars are lined up over

the AOR, depicting the umbrella of protection that USNORTHCOM provides to North America.

U.S. Northern Command Leaders

COMMANDERS*

General Ralph E. Eberhart, USAF 1 October 2002 – 5 November 2004

Admiral Thomas J. Keating, USN 5 November 2004 – 23 March 2007

General Victor E. Renuart, USAF 23 March 2007 – 19 May 2010

Admiral James A. Winnefeld, Jr., USN 19 May 2010 – 3 August 2011

General Charles H. Jacoby, Jr., USA 3 August 2011 – November 2014

* Commander (CDR), USNORTHCOM was dual hatted as CDR, North American Aerospace Defense Command

(NORAD), however, the Deputy Commander of USNORTHCOM was not dual hatted.

Admiral William "Bill" Gortney, USN 5 December 2014 - present

DEPUTY COMMANDERS

1 October 2002

– 25 June 2004 LTG Edward G. Anderson, III, USA

MG Raymond F. Rees, USA

LTG Joseph R. Inge, USA

LTG William C. Webster, USA

LTG H. Steven Blum, USA

Vacant

LTG Frank J. Grass, USA

Lt Gen Michael D. Dubie, USAF

LTG Daniel R. Hokanson, USA

25 June 2004 – 22 July 2004

22 July 2004 – 29 May 2007

29 May 2007 – 16 January 2009

16 January 2009 – 27 May 2010

27 May 2010 – 3

October 2010

3 October 2010 – 27 August 2012

27 August 2012 – 31 July 2015

15 August 2015 - present

COMMAND SENIOR ENLISTED LEADER

1 October 2002

– 12 January 2004

CMSgt Kevin D. Estrem, USAF

SgtMaj Dennis S. Fry,

USMC

CSM Daniel Wood, USA

CMSgt William A. Ursy, USAF

CSM Robert A. Winzenried, USA

FLTCM Terrence L. Molidor, USN

12 January 2004 – 26 March 2007

26 March 2007 – 21 May 2009

21 May 2009 – 15 September 2011

15 September 2011 – 19 September 2014

4 November 2014 - present

U.S. Northern Command Area of Responsibility

As of 31 December 2012

U.S. Northern Command Organization

As of 31 December 2012

Headquarters, United States Northern Command

Personnel and Manpower Directorate (J1)

Intelligence Directorate (J2)

Operations Directorate (J3)

Logistics and Operations Directorate (J4)

Strategy, Policy, and Plans Directorate (J5)

Command Control Systems Directorate (J6)

Training and Exercise Directorate (J7)

Programs, Resources, and Analysis Directorate (J8)

Interagency Coordination Directorate (J9)

Science and Technology Directorate (S&T)

Special Staff

Subordinate Headquarters

Joint Task Force Alaska (JTF-AK), Elmendorf AFB, AK

Joint Task Force Civil Support (JTF-CS), Fort Monroe, VA

Joint Task Force North (JTF-N) Fort Bliss, TX

Joint Force Headquarters National Capitol Region (JFHQ-NCR), Washington, D.C.

Service Components

Army North (ARNORTH), Headquarters, Fifth Army, Fort Sam Houston, TX

Marine Forces North (MARFORNORTH), Headquarters, Marine Forces Reserve, New

Orleans, LA

Air Forces North (AFNORTH), Headquarters, First Air Force, Tyndall AFB, FL

Naval Forces North (NAVNORTH), Headquarters, Fleet Forces Command (FFC),

Norfolk, VA.

Special Operations Command North (SOCNORTH), Headquarters, Peterson AFB, CO

U.S. Northern Command Notable Responses

rricane Lili – October 2002

Space Shuttle Colombia Disaster – February 2003

Hurricane Isabel – September 2003

Wildfire Season – 2003

Hurricane Charley – August 2004

Hurricane Frances – September 2004

Hurricane Ivan – September 2004

Western Wildfires – 2004

Hurricane Katrina – August 2005

Hurricane Rita – September 2005

H1N5 Pandemic Influenza – 2007

Minneapolis Interstate 35 Bridge Collapse – August 2007

Western Wildfires – July 2007

California Wildfires – October-November 2007

Central States Flooding – March 2008

California Wildfires – June-August 2008

Hurricanes Gustav and Hanna – August 2008

Hurricane Ike – September 2008

H1N1 Pandemic Influenza – 2009

Haiti Earthquake – Operation Unified Response – January 2010

Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill – April-August 2010

Hurricane Sandy Response – October-December 2012

USNORTHCOM/HO