PETERSON AFB, Colo. –
U.S. Northern Command is sending U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Jeff Buchanan, USNORTHCOM’s current Joint Force Land Component Command commander, to serve as the Department of Defense’s primary liaison to the Federal Emergency Management Agency as the response efforts transition from a sea-based to a land-based operation.
Lt. Gen. Buchanan is scheduled to arrive later today in Puerto Rico and is expected to link with FEMA and Puerto Rico officials to lead U.S. Northern Command’s efforts in response and recovery.
Previously, RDML Jeffrey Hughes, the Expeditionary Strike Group 2 commander, was USNORTHCOM’s senior officer leading U.S. Northern Command’s efforts in support of FEMA in the Joint Operating Area.
USNORTHCOM continues 24-hour operations, supporting FEMA in the areas of logistics, commodity distribution, and hospital sustainment.