Ground-Based Missile Defense Units in North America reassigned to U.S. Northern Command

Effective Oct. 1, 2023, the 100th Missile Defense Brigade, Schriever Space Force Base, Colo., and its subordinate unit, 49th Missile Defense Battalion, Fort Greely, Alaska, are assigned to U.S. Northern Command. This move aligns the units that operate the Ground-based Midcourse Defense system under the combatant command responsible for missile defense of the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii.

“The missile defense mission of U.S. Northern Command and the 100th Missile Defense Brigade have not changed,” said Gen. Glen VanHerck, Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command. “Assigning the 100th Missile Defense Brigade under U.S. Northern Command better aligns the unit with their operational mission. I am grateful for the continuing efforts of these Soldiers to defend the homeland every day.

This reassignment is a result of the Department of Defense’s ongoing efforts to streamline and normalize missile defense roles and responsibilities and is consistent with
missions assigned in the 2022 Unified Command Plan. The 100th MDB and 49th MDB were previously assigned under U.S. Strategic Command. Additionally, the United States Army Space and Missile Defense Command is designated as USNORTHCOM’s Army Service Component Command for Ground-based Midcourse Defense, in order to formalize the command and control relationships for the mission and its supporting units.

"This change improves our capacity to defend the homeland by providing unity of command and alignment of authorities to execute the Ground-based Midcourse Defense
mission,” said Army Col. Joseph Paladino, Commander, 100th Missile Defense Brigade. “As a result, USNORTHCOM, USASMDC, and the 100th Missile Defense Brigade are better aligned to seamlessly integrate across all echelons of command, bringing greater efficiencies to protecting our homeland."

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NOTE TO EDITORS: For further information, please contact U.S. Northern Command Public Affairs at (719) 554-6889 or email us at n-ncpa.omb@mail.mil.

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