PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. – The progress United States Northern Command has made since its inception Oct. 1, 2002 to defend the homeland from natural or man-made disasters is “truly impressive,” Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld said during a visit here May 31.
Rumsfeld visited USNORTHCOM the day prior to the official start of hurricane season for an update on how the command is better postured to provide defense support to civil authorities in the event of any disaster.
“The kinds of capabilities the Department of Defense is able to bring to problems are unique and distinctive and we are part of a complicated network of responders,” Rumsfeld said. He noted that DoD acts only in a support role assisting first responders – state and local governments, and if necessary the Department of Homeland Security once they assume lead responsibility.
The secretary was briefed on the USNORTHCOM plans in place to respond to a natural or man-made disaster and the command’s coordination efforts with other federal, state and local agencies.
He also received an update on some of the plans USNORTHCOM is revising following its recent Ardent Sentry ’06 exercise to ensure the command is ready when the nation calls, regardless of the circumstances. In a continued effort to test USNORTHCOM readiness, Ardent Sentry ’06 required the commands to simultaneously battle terrorist attacks on the ground, provide military assistance to civil authorities in the case of the human-human transmission of the H5N1 virus in the homeland and respond to a large Category 3 hurricane that struck the already devastated Southeastern United States.
Adm. Timothy J. Keating, USNORTHCOM commander, praised President Bush and Rumsfeld on their vision of creating the command following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
“America is safer today because of their vision which led to the creation of United States Northern Command – a fully functional regional combatant command responsible for the defense of our nation,” Keating said.
As for the upcoming hurricane season, the admiral stressed that USNORTHCOM is prepared.
“We are ready to respond when (Secretary Rumsfeld) or the President direct us to participate in the efforts to save lives, reduce human suffering and help restore critical infrastructure,” Keating said.
Rumsfeld said his trip to USNORTHCOM capped off a “terrific day.” The secretary’s began his day shaking hands with the nearly 900 graduates from the nearby United States Air Force Academy who were “stepping up and volunteering to serve our nation and help defend freedom” and concluded by visiting the men and women charged with the vital mission of defending the homeland.