As you likely saw and heard this past weekend, Sunday marked the 5th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina’s landfall along the Gulf Coast.  Make no mistake, this was a defining event for both the federal government and U.S. Northern Command. Since that day, USNORTHCOM has  moved out in an aggressive effort to improve the way we respond to these natural disasters. 

Prior to Katrina, the Department of Defense operated under a Severe Weather Standing Execute Order (EXORD), which basically assigned military assets  - some unique capability – to the lead primary federal agency for a disaster. In hindsight, this EXORD did not allow us to lean forward enough during a disaster of Katrina’s magnitude.  After Katrina, the Department of Defense approved a combined Severe Weather and Wildland Firefighting EXORD… the first Defense Support of Civil Authorities Standing EXORD. This EXORD made the largest adjustment in recent history for military support provided to civil authorities and gave the USNORTHCOM commander authority to place necessary assets on prepare-to-deploy orders — and even deploy some assets — upon receipt of a request for assistance from a federal primary agency.

 
In 2007 the Secretary approved the DSCA Standing EXORD that incorporated an increase of two brigade equivalents to support catastrophic disasters.  And the 2008 DSCA Standing EXORD provided a more robust Incident Area Awareness concept of operation, along with subordinate tasks.  Both of which increased our posture and flexibility to respond.  Additionally, USNORTHCOM granted U.S. Army North the authority to deploy our Defense Coordinating Officer and Element (roughly 11 military officers including a full colonel from the Army) in an effort to add speed and agility to the support process.

While the 2006 DSCA EXORD fixed many of the issues observed during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, every year since has seen incremental improvements in DOD’s ability to provide timely and effective support to the Primary Agency and, ultimately, to states that request assistance. 

We’ve done a lot of work in the last five years, and we will continue to improve our response to the needs of our partners following these catastrophic events.  The President stated this weekend, “We’re improving coordination on the ground, and modernizing emergency communications, helping families plan for a crisis.”

Today we are in the middle of the 2010 hurricane season and our organization is tracking and planning for multiple storms that have formed in the Atlantic.  When requested, we will respond quickly and effectively to the needs of states and our interagency partners. 

All the best,

Admiral Sandy Winnefeld

This week marked the 70th anniversary of the Ogdensburg Agreement.  On August 18, 1940, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Prime Minister Mackenzie King met in the border town of Ogdensburg, New York, to discuss the concept of U.S. and Canadian combined defense.  During this meeting they sanctioned the establishment of the Permanent Joint Board on Defense (PJBD) to “consider in the broad sense the problems of defense of the north half of the Western Hemisphere.”

The U.S.-Canada alliance conceived 70 years ago seemed at the time to have been radical in its nature but has proven over time to be a strong partnership unlike any other in the world.   The U.S. Secretary of War, Henry Stimson, described Ogdensburg as “the most momentous talks I have ever participated in.”

Today we continue to enjoy the binational cooperation that the Ogdensburg Agreement laid the ground work for those many years ago.  This agreement was forward-leaning and documented the importance of our military partnership.  Every day we take the spirit of this agreement into our daily actions under the NORAD umbrella, as our Canadian partners sit side-by-side with their U.S. counterparts in our mutual defense efforts that were brought together 70 years ago this week.

Merci’ mes amis,

Godspeed,

Admiral Sandy Winnefeld

Last week, our commands successfully completed the first, and undoubtedly not the last, joint exercise with our counterparts in the Russian Federation Air Force and Russian air traffic control agencies. The VIGILANT EAGLE exercise was a history-making event and marks a new era of U.S. and Russian military cooperation.

For the binational command of NORAD, this exercise strengthens our capabilities by enlisting the cooperation of partners who share in the threat of air terrorism. Vigilant Eagle allowed our air traffic control agencies, our airborne warning and control platforms, our aerial refueling platforms, as well as interceptors from both nations to share and validate our procedures to detect, track, identify, intercept and follow an aircraft as it proceeds across international boundaries. 

I’d like to highlight a quote from Col. Gen. Alexander Zelin, the Russian Federation Air Force commander, who said on Russian radio this past Saturday that he believed all his country’s goals were met during the Vigilant Eagle exercise and welcomed future exercises with the U.S., "I think we should not shut ourselves off in this respect,” he said. “We should fly together more often.”  My thoughts exactly.

Godspeed,

Admiral Sandy Winnefeld

This morning, I visited the National Scout Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill, Va. –and what an experience—to look out at a “sea” of more than 45,000 scouts who travelled here from across the country and, in some cases from countries around the world, to be a part of this spectacular Centennial celebration. 

It was truly an honor to be part of this youth-centered event.  The highlight of the day for the Scouts and for their adult leaders was the opportunity to hear Secretary of Defense Gates speak to a sea of eager and excited scouts.  He shared his personal experiences with scouting, both as an Eagle Scout and “Order of the Arrow” member in his youth, as well as his experiences as a Boy Scout “dad” camping with his young son with his scout troop in the Virginia forests.  A key moment in his speech came when he asked all the Scouts who have family members in the military to stand; I would estimate that 80 percent of the audience came to their feet to hear the Secretary’s personal thanks for their support.  I commend for your reading this superb speech, in which Secretary Gates highlighted the importance to our Nation’s future of the leaders we build through Scouting. 

After attending the Arena show, I had the opportunity to visit with some of the military men and women and a host of inter-agency civilians who make up the Joint Task Force.  The JTF, commanded by Brig. Gen. Robert “Woody” Nolan II, who was commissioned in the Virginia National Guard just days prior to the Jamboree, making him the first active-duty officer to simultaneously hold commissions in both the active Air Force and the National Guard, is providing invaluable military support to this historic event.   The diverse members of the JTF are lending their expertise, unique skill sets and professionalism to ensure that the National Scout Jamboree is safe and successful—I was impressed by the spirit of cooperation among all the organizations.

Seeing these scouts today - and the great service members and civilians supporting them -  was an uplifting experience for me. 

Godspeed,

Admiral Sandy Winnefeld

Last Friday, I had the opportunity to travel to Indiana to see firsthand the foremost Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA) exercise U.S. Northern Command holds – Vibrant Response. After arriving in Indiana, we headed to Camp Atterbury and then onto Muscatatuck Urban Training Center, which is a fantastic 180-acre urban training ground consisting of 68 major buildings including a school and hospital. It is truly a first-rate facility, run exceptionally well by the Indiana National Guard. We were met by Lt. Gen. Guy Swan, commanding general of U. S. Army North, who showed us why their organization is the premier DSCA training organization in the country.

Vibrant Response is the Field Training Exercise for a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, High-Yield Explosive (CBRNE) Consequence Management Response Force (CCMRF). About 3,500 people from 17 states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico participated in the exercise and responded to a simulated detonation of a 10-kiloton radiological device – more commonly known as a dirty nuclear bomb. Certainly, a scenario of the unthinkable, but something we must train for nonetheless.

What Gen. Swan showed me was truly impressive. This CCMRF, comprised of forces mainly from the Reserve component, responded to this demanding scenario magnificently and showed me that they will continue to have a significant role in our Nation’s response capabilities. As you can appreciate, the consequence management of a CBRNE event is a challenging mission set, and the Department of Defense is changing how we respond to this important mission area.

From decontamination of people and property, to route clearance and search and rescue operations, these CCMRF warriors proved beyond a doubt that they superbly prepared for their challenging mission. I left Indiana firmly knowing what I believed all along -- that U.S. Army North and the members for the CCMRF are critical assets to the United States in response to a potentially catastrophic event.

Godspeed
ADM Sandy Winnefeld

On Sunday, I had the honor of attending the second Council of Governors meeting with Secretary of Defense Robert Gates in Boston, MA.  Also in attendance were ten governors (including Council Co-Chairs Gov Gregoire (WA)and Gov Douglas (VT)), Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, and Deputy National Security Advisor for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism John Brennan.

This bipartisan Council of Governors was created by President Obama to advise the Secretary of Defense, Secretary of Homeland Security, and the White House Homeland Security Council on matters related to the National Guard and civil support missions.

Today's meeting was a very productive gathering that addressed a number of key topics to ensure Federal agencies respond quickly and in the right manner when governors request assistance from the Federal government for disasters and emergencies.  I believe we made a lot of progress, and will work hard to meet the high expectations set during this meeting.  The next Council of Governors session will be in Colorado Springs in November 2010.

Godspeed
ADM Sandy Winnefeld

Men and women of NORAD and USNORTHCOM, please join me as we celebrate two very special days this month, days that, as Americans and Canadians, are very close to our hearts; Independence Day and Canada Day.

It’s an appropriate coincidence that these two days fall so closely to one another.  Our countries have enjoyed a close relationship that is highlighted by the 52-year alliance that is NORAD.  Given the many places where Canadian and U.S. forces are fighting together, whether defending our homelands here in Colorado Springs, deterring and defeating pirates off the coast of Africa or fighting in the mountains of Afghanistan, it seems only appropriate that we celebrate our nations’ birthdays together, as friends.

And, while many of us will spend these holidays with our families and friends enjoying the liberties that we cherish, we should never forget that there is an irreconcilable enemy whose goal is to harm Americans and Canadians, and destroy our way of life. So, as you enjoy your holiday, please remember that a significant number of our comrades will remain on watch ensuring the safety and security of our great nations.  Let’s never forget them or their sacrifices. 

To our Canadian personnel, Happy Canada Day.  To our U.S. personnel, Happy Fourth of July. Be safe and God bless.

Godspeed,
ADM Sandy Winnefeld

As you enjoy everything summer has to offer this year, our team at USNORTHCOM is preparing for what may be our busiest time of year for natural disaster response support – hurricane season.

If and when requested by a state governor and directed by the President, USNORTHCOM will provide assistance to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, in their role as the lead federal agency for assisting states with disaster response.  This support could range from transportation and communications to medical support and search and rescue.

At FEMA’s request, our highly-experienced Defense coordinating officers will work closely within each of the FEMA regions to coordinate this military support, which is ultimately intended to directly support state governors in their efforts to respond to the hurricane.

In preparation for this mission, USNORTHCOM exercises various scenarios with partner agencies such as FEMA, other Department of Homeland Security components, the National Guard, and others. This team approach allows all of us to integrate our collective capabilities for hurricane response.  Last month, USNORTHCOM and FEMA participated in the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff’s Hurricane Preparedness Exercise to clarify expectations, synchronize our response plans with other federal agencies, and identify issues that need additional attention. This week, USNORTHCOM will apply what we’ve learned in a hurricane exercise here at our headquarters to examine our internal processes and procedures.  A number of senior leaders from DHS and various National Guard organizations will join us in Colorado Springs to participate in this exercise.

I want to emphasize that USNORTHCOM plays a supporting role in hurricanes and other disaster responses -- our ultimate goal is to respond through FEMA to what the affected State needs to save lives, mitigate suffering, and recover from the crisis. 

The Deep Water Horizon disaster has presented a unique set of challenges for hurricane response as well; USNORTHCOM has hurricane planners on the coast right now at the request of the Coast Guard and Admiral Thad Allen, National Incident Commander. This will also enable all of us to prepare the best we can for a response to a hurricane in the Gulf, with the oil spill situation as a complicating factor.  Additionally, I recently met with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano and FEMA Administrator Fugate to reiterate that DoD stands ready to support.

In a final note, please remember that preparation begins at home. It’s essential that each of us have a preparedness plan ready in case disaster strikes—whether a hurricane or otherwise. DHS has a great web page that provides excellent information at http://www.dhs.gov/files/prepresprecovery.shtm

I wish everyone a safe and happy summer.

Godspeed,
ADM Winnefeld

I recently returned from my first visit to Canada as the new commander of NORAD and USNORTHCOM.  I traveled to Ottawa with two goals in mind.

My first goal was to build my knowledge of our historic relationship that is represented by NORAD and the shared values between the U.S. and Canada.  NORAD’s existence, evolution and mission-area growth demonstrate the enduring ties between our two countries and our shared commitment of defending our homelands.  I might add that these ties between our two countries are commonly known and demonstrated through prominent organizations such as the Permanent Joint Board on Defense and the Military Cooperation Committee.  Regardless of the organizations that created these links, in total, more than 80 treaty-level defense agreements, more than 250 memoranda of understanding and approximately 145 bilateral forums link us together. 

My second goal was simply to listen and learn. As the commander of NORAD, I answer to both the Canadian and U.S. defense leadership. So it was critical for me to listen and understand what’s important to the Canadian national security team.

This visit was certainly successful.  It was a pleasure and an honor to meet with the Minister of National Defense, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Public Safety (see image below), the National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister, the U.S. Ambassador to Canada, the Chief of the Defense Staff, the Commander of Canada Command, and the chiefs of the Land, Maritime, and Air staffs, to name just a few.  I look forward to continuing to improve on our already remarkable relationship.

Godspeed,

Admiral Sandy Winnefeld

On June 1, I had the pleasure of visiting the Arizona-Mexico border with Senator John McCain.  Our trip began with a visit to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Intelligence and Operations Coordination Center (IOCC) in Tucson.  The IOCC is home to representatives of 63 different law enforcement agencies and other government organizations, and permits Customs and Border Protection to develop operations based upon the intelligence that is disseminated in the IOCC. 

After leaving the IOCC, Senator McCain and I went to the CBP Office of Air and Marine to board a helicopter for a flight to the border.  We took off from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and flew south along Interstate 19.  We flew over the Mariposa Port of Entry in Nogales, AZ and then flew along the border for about 50 miles to a U.S. Border Patrol forward operating base.  Senator McCain and I had the opportunity to meet with a number of Border Patrol Agents who work detection, prevention and apprehension of terrorists, undocumented aliens and smugglers of aliens through surveillance, following-up leads, responding to electronic sensor television systems, aircraft sightings, and following tracks, marks and other physical evidence in some of the most inhospitable terrain in the United States.

This was my first trip to the Southwest Border as the Commander of USNORTHCOM, and I am grateful to Senator McCain for his invitation.  I was struck by the enormity of the challenge of securing our border in this hot, dusty, rugged country.  I was equally impressed by the professionalism and dedication of the men and women of CBP.  Through our military-to-military engagements with Mexico and our military support to the Department of Homeland Security, USNORTHCOM plays a vital role in improving security on both sides of the border.

Godspeed,

Admiral Sandy Winnefeld