PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. –
U.S. Northern Command, along with its component and subordinate commands, National Guard, and Department of Defense partners, is postured to provide response assistance to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, state and local authorities in areas affected by Hurricane Michael.
As initial damage assessments are occurring, military capabilities, such as high-water vehicles and aviation assets, are positioned to assist as needed.
The Commander of NORAD and USNORTHCOM, Gen. Terrence J. O’Shaughnessy, participated in FEMA’s Operational Briefing and a joint press conference led by the FEMA Administrator, Brock Long, Thursday morning highlighting the close coordination among military and civilian agencies.
“Being here with FEMA and the team as part of the National Response Framework highlights the close working relationship we have and how that allows us to bring the full capability of the Department of Defense in support of both the state and the federal response,” O’Shaughnessy said. “I’d like to highlight the fact that this close cooperation has allowed us to anticipate the needs for this storm, which are quite different from Hurricane Florence.”
Below is an updated summary of DOD support to FEMA, state and local partners as of Oct. 11, 2018:
• There are approximately 5,000 DOD personnel, half of whom are National Guard, in the affected areas to support hurricane relief efforts. The following states have active duty, National Guard, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Defense Logistics Agency personnel deployed: Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Kentucky, Nevada, Arizona, District of Columbia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas and New York. The specific numbers continue to change day to day as the force structure fluctuates.
• USNORTHCOM has deployed a Defense Coordinating Officer and a Defense Coordinating Element to the Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee to actively identify and posture forces for Hurricane Michael response. These DCO/Es are specially-trained military officers who provide DOD regional knowledge, requirements validation, and liaison support in order to facilitate timely and effective military responses to FEMA-generated Mission Assignments.
• The Secretary of Defense approved a Dual Status Commander for Florida. Brig. Gen. Rafael Ribas provides a command and control structure which allows a single commander to command a Joint Task Force comprised of both National Guard (Title 32 and State Active Duty) and federal military Title 10) forces in a civil support mission.
• There are approximately 100 helicopters, 20 fixed wing aircraft, 1,800 high water capable vehicles and 90 swift water boats available from active duty and National Guard units.
• The Defense Logistics Agency is currently providing up to 67,000 gallons of diesel, MOGAS and propane at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama.
• The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is executing seven mission assignments to include temporary emergency power, debris technical assistance and route clearance in the affected areas.
• Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany, Georgia, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, and Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, have been identified as FEMA Incident Support Bases and Federal Staging Areas in support of disaster operations to provide power and distribute supplies and equipment to the affected areas as required.
To reach NORTHCOM Public Affairs, please contact us at (719) 554-6889 or email n-nc.peterson.n-ncspecialstaff.mbx.usnorthcom-pa-omb@mail.mil.