This month, the United States Northern Command will conduct Unified Defense 04, a major exercise designed to allow the command, Fifth Army, Joint Task Force Alaska and associated units to practice the Homeland Defense and Military Support to Civil Authorities missions. The exercise will run from February 19-25.
Unified Defense 04 will involve the Department of Homeland Security and more than 50 federal, state and local organizations primarily in Texas, Alaska, Colorado, Virginia and the National Capital Region.
A series of simulated natural disasters and simulated terrorist activities will take place during the exercise. Events include a Category IV hurricane, radiological events, maritime and port security events, and aerospace defense activities. Since most events are simulated, there will be few troop movements and little activity that will be apparent to the general public.
This exercise will also incorporate a North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) exercise (Vigilant Overview 04-2) in a scenario that will pose aerospace defense challenges to exercise participants.