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Press Release | May 29, 2019

U.S. Northern Command, partners begin disaster response exercise

NORAD and USNORTHCOM Public Affairs

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo.  –  

U.S. Northern Command is conducting its annual Defense Support of Civil Authorities-focused exercise, ARDENT SENTRY 19, from May 29 through June 5. 

This is a primarily a “command post exercise,” and is largely done from command centers on computers using simulated troop movements. ARDENT SENTRY does not involve a significant deployment of operational troops or equipment.  

While U.S. Northern Command’s primary mission is Homeland Defense, the command also supports the federal response efforts during catastrophic events.

The simulated scenario for this exercise is a major earthquake along the New Madrid Seismic Zone in the Midwestern United States.

“We will not be late to need when our federal partners require our support,” said Gen. Terrence J. O’Shaughnessy, North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command commander. “U.S. Northern Command is committed to providing rapid, capable response forces to alleviate suffering of those affected by disaster—whether it’s an earthquake, a hurricane, a chemical attack, or some other natural or manmade disaster. ARDENT SENTRY allows us to exercise our ability to respond when called upon.”

For additional information, please contact U.S. Northern Command.

 

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NOTE TO EDITORS: For further information, please contact USNORTHCOM Public Affairs at (719) 554-6889 or n-nc.peterson.n-ncspecialstaff.mbx.usnorthcom-pa-omb@mail.mil.

For imagery regarding this exercise, please visit the USNORTHCOM’s social media sites at http://www.facebook.com/noradnorthcom and http://www.twitter.com/norad_northcom