PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. – The Adjutants General from 13 states converged on U.S. Northern Command headquarters here July 10 to discuss the Homeland Response Force mission, training and National Guard matters.
The TAGs were from states responsible for HRF missions such as Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear response.
“These meetings allow senior leaders to voice concerns, discuss mission requirements and responsibilities and develop strong partnerships between USNORTHCOM, the National Guard Bureau and the TAGs,” said Army Maj. Gen. James Joseph, Special Assistant to the Commander, NORAD-USNORTHCOM, for National Guard matters.
Topics of discussions included the CBRN response enterprise, HRF training and exercises, and related issues such as the Dual Status Commander and the challenges of regional command in a catastrophic event, Joseph added.
The meeting comes at a time when the relationship between the National Guard and USNORTHCOM has begun to move closer.
“The focus was very forward-looking. It was challenges and opportunities for very close collaboration, working together as a total force to build upon the capabilities that currently exist,” said Air Force Maj. Gen. Tim Lowenberg, Washington state TAG. “We’re about to enter a critical next phase in the maturation of the CBRN enterprise, in particular the response forces. By the end of this current fiscal year, we will have completed an evaluation of all the Homeland Response Forces and that will complete the life-cycle of the first phase of standing this capability up as a national defense capability.”
Lowenberg said the face-to-face meetings help USNORTHCOM on the various National Guard units work together as a team to chart a path forward.
“They accelerate the life cycle of achieving unity of focus and at the same time they help inform leaders of various aspects of the enterprise with information they may not otherwise obtain in as timely a matter,” he said. “And they build essential trust relationships.”