Feb. 27, 2004

UDO4 Ups Ante for Future Exercises

The size, complexity, quality of decisions, and the ability to communicate effectively with the multiple agencies involved in “Unified Defense ‘04” have raised the bar for future U.S. Northern Command exercises, said officials at Peterson AFB. “We’ve raised the ante. Expectations will be even higher for our next exercise,” said Army Lt. Col. Tim

Feb. 19, 2004

NORAD, USNORTHCOM Simulate Scenarios, Respond In Real Time

A major hurricane, a nuclear accident, and a nuclear detonation (all simulated, all occurring in Texas) are just the tip of the proverbial iceberg facing U.S. Northern Command forces during exercise “Unified Defense ’04.”The simulated events also include aircraft hijackings, threats from a fictitious country testing its strategic capabilities, and

Feb. 11, 2004

Exercise Unified Defense 04 Announced

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

Dec. 11, 2003

Four-Year Plan Becomes 31-Year Career

Like so many people who enlist in the military, Kevin Estrem was going to do his four years and get out.One of only two in his high school graduating class to join the military, the 18 year-old left his hometown of about 1,500 people Oct. 25, 1972, for Air Force Basic Military Training.“Four years max and I’m home,” thought the Kenyon, Minn.,

Nov. 3, 2003

Northern Command Firefight Mission Complete

The weather finally cooperated with firefighting efforts in southern California. So much so, that on Saturday, Nov. 1, the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) released all federalized military units that assisted with fighting the wildland fires. Air Force Lt. Col. Roberto Garza, spokesman for the U.S. Northern Command, said, “the snow and rain

Oct. 29, 2003

Northern Command Sending 14 Aircraft to Battle California Fires

United States Northern Command is sending all eight of the Department of Defense’s C-130 aircraft equipped with the Modular Airborne Firefighting System, or MAFFS, and six CH-53 helicopters with fire suppression buckets to support the wildland firefighting effort.While homeland defense is the primary mission of the command established as a result

Oct. 27, 2003

Northern Command Assists California Firefighting Effort

U.S. Northern Command is joining the effort to battle 11 wildland fires that have burned more than 230,000 acres in Southern California and has depleted the state’s firefighting resources.While homeland defense is the primary mission of the command established as a result of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, officials noted that U.S. Northern Command

Oct. 3, 2003

NORTHCOM Chief Says U.S. Better Prepared Against Terror

WASHINGTON, Oct. 2, 2003 -- "The United States is better prepared to face terrorist threats today and the U.S.Northern Command will continue to improve U.S. capabilities," the head of that unified command said today.During an interview in the Pentagon, Air Force Gen. Ralph Eberhart said Northern Command brings a focus on planning and training to

Sept. 30, 2003

Government, military, industry leaders unite to talk homeland defense

“No one knows how long this war is going to last. No one knows what resources will ultimately be required, but we do know that transnational terrorism will be defeated and Americans will once again be able to live unhurt in peace.” These were the words Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense Paul McHale used to summarize his keynote

Sept. 16, 2003

Northern Command Announces Full Operational Capability

PETERSON Air Force Base, Colo. -- U.S. Northern Command, created in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, announced full operational capability on the second anniversary of the New York, Pentagon and Shanksville, Penn., tragedies.USNORTHCOM, the nation’s newest unified combatant command responsible for providing homeland defense and military

Aug. 29, 2003

USNORTHCOM Completes Determined Promise ’03

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo - Dozens die when terrorists release pneumonic plague in Las Vegas. Quickly thereafter, a hurricane wreaks havoc in Florida, wildland fires scorch thousands of acres in the Northwest, and a train carrying munitions derails in Kentucky.It’s a nightmare, worst-case scenario in the post-Sept. 11 world. But that’s what

Aug. 29, 2003

U.S. Northern Command hosts first Homeland Defense Symposium

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. – U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM), in partnership with the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce and Rocky Mountain Chapter National Defense Industrial Association, present the first Homeland Defense Symposium, Sept. 25, 2003, at the Broadmoor Hotel International Center, in Colorado Springs.The purpose of this

Aug. 26, 2003

Rear Admiral J. Stanton Thompson Receives Defense Superior Service Medal

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. – Rear Adm. J. Stanton Thompson recently received the Defense Superior Service Medal for his service at U.S. Pacific Command during a ceremony at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs. Rear Adm. Thompson was recognized for his dynamic leadership and continuous aggressive pursuit of efficient, effective and

Aug. 15, 2003

Northern Command Tests Homeland Defense, Civil Assistance Capabilities

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo.– U.S. Northern Command’s capability of responding to multiple, simultaneous homeland defense and federal relief events will be put to the test Aug. 18-28 during Exercise Determined Promise.The multi-level exercise, which takes place primarily in Clark County, Nev., and Colorado Springs, tests the Department of

Aug. 15, 2003

Exercise to evaluate Northern Command’s capabilities

Beginning August 18, the United States Northern Command will conduct Exercise Determined Promise 03, a major exercise designed to evaluate the command’s ability to command and control multiple homeland defense and military assistance to civil authorities missions simultaneously. The exercise will take place from Aug 18 – 28 in Clark County, Nev.