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News | Aug. 23, 2011

U.S. NORTHCOM DEPLOYS DEFENSE COORDINATING OFFICER TO PUERTO RICO

By NORAD and USNORTHCOM Public Affairs

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. - U.S. Northern Command activated a Defense Coordinating Officer yesterday to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico in preparation for support to civil authorities as Hurricane Irene hit Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

USNORTHCOM activated the DCO and Defense Coordinating Element from U.S. Army North in support of the Federal Emergency Management Agency Region II, to provide assessment and coordination as required.

DCOs and DCEs work very closely with federal, state, tribal and local officials to determine what unique DOD capabilities can be brought to assist in mitigating the effects of a natural disaster.

USNORTHCOM is the joint combatant command formed in the wake of the Sept.11, 2001 terrorist attacks to provide homeland defense and defense support of civil authorities.

For more information, please contact NORAD and USNORTHCOM Public Affairs at (719) 554-6889. For information about NORAD or USNORTHCOM, please visit our Web sites at www.norad.mil or http://www.northcom.mil.