Order Code RS21322
Updated November 16, 2006
CRS Report for Congress
Received through the CRS Web
Homeland Security:
Evolving Roles and Missions for United
States Northern Command
Steve Bowman and James Crowhurst
Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division
Summary
In 2002, the Department of Defense (DOD) established United States Northern
Command (NORTHCOM). Four years later, the organization continues to mature and
adapt to evolving National Homeland Security Policy. Current issue areas for Congress
include DOD reorganization, formalizing interagency processes and an increasing
reliance on Reserve Component forces. This report will be updated as events dictate.
Introduction
In 2002 President Bush signed a new Department of Defense (DOD) Unified
Command Plan that established the United States Northern Command (NORTHCOM)
to provide command and control of DOD’s homeland defense efforts and to coordinate
military support to civil authorities.1 As a regional combatant command, its area of
responsibility includes the continental United States, Alaska, Canada, Mexico and the
surrounding water out to approximately 500 nautical miles, including the Gulf of Mexico
and the Straits of Florida. NORTHCOM is also responsible for security cooperation and
coordination with Canada and Mexico.2 Additionally, the commander of NORTHCOM
also serves as Commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command
(NORAD), a bi-national U.S. and Canadian organization charged with air and maritime
warning as well as airspace control.3
1 See Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Joint Publication 3-26, “Homeland Security,” August 2nd,
2005, II-7 for combatant command roles in Homeland Security.
2 Defense of Hawaii and Pacific territories and possessions is a U.S. Pacific Command
responsibility and defense of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands is U.S. Southern
Command’s.
3 NORAD and NORTHCOM are separate entities; the former established by international
agreement. In May 2006, NORAD’s maritime warning mission was added and the treaty was
made indefinite with reviews every four years or at the request of either country.
Congressional Research Service ˜ The Library of Congress

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Organization
Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado Springs, CO is home to NORTHCOM
headquarters and approximately 1,200 DOD civilians, contractors and active duty, guard,
and reserve service members from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast
Guard. Most of the U.S. military personnel also serve in NORAD positions except in the
operations directorate. In July 2006, NORTHCOM announced the Cheyenne Mountain
Operations Center (CMOC) was undergoing an 18-month transition with day-to-day
operations moving from the underground complex 15 miles west of Peterson to the
combined NORAD/NORTHCOM Command Center at Peterson. The Cold War vintage
facility under Cheyenne Mountain will remain in a“standby” status used for exercises or
contingencies. The combined command center maintains realtime communications with
command centers from approximately 150 other agencies and it has representatives from
organizations like the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the DHS National
Operations Center (NOC) working around the clock.4
Like other regional combatant commands, NORTHCOM has component commands
to support their mission. Army, Air Force and Marine Corps components are assigned to
NORTHCOM while the Navy’s Fleet Forces Command is a supporting component. Its
forces don’t report directly to NORTHCOM unless assigned by U.S. Joint Forces
Command (JFCOM).5 This relationship with JFCOM is how most NORTHCOM forces
are allocated to execute specific missions. Joint Task Forces (JTF) provide an
organizational skeleton for gained component forces to fill in based on the missions
assigned to the JTF. Below is a summary of direct-reporting NORTHCOM components:
Army North (ARNORTH). Based at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, 5th Army assumed
responsibility for its NORTHCOM mission in October 2005. Commanded by an active
duty three star general, this organization shed its traditional role of training reservists to
focus on supporting civil authorities. It assigns Defense Coordinating Officers (DCO) to
all ten Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offices to streamline DOD
coordination. During crisis response, DCOs are augmented by additional personnel to
facilitate NORTHCOM support.6

Air Force North (AFNORTH). First Air Force is headquartered at Tyndall Air
Force Base, Florida, and in February 2006 it was designated as NORTHCOM’s air
component. The organization is commanded by a federalized Air National Guard two star
general who serves as a NORAD air defense commander. In addition to using Canadian
and U.S. aircraft on alert, the command is expanding the use of mobile ground-based air
4 Armed Forces Press Service, “NORAD, NORTHCOM Personnel to Move,” July 31, 2006.
Upgrade of the complex computer systems that track air, missile and space defense received
scrutiny in the recently released GAO report, “Defense Acquisitions: Further Management and
Oversight Changes Needed to Modernize Cheyenne Mountain Attack Warning System,” July 2006.
5 Testimony of Commander, U.S. Northern Command, Admiral Timothy J. Keating, before the
Senate Armed Services Committee on March 14, 2006.
6 “Theater-level Command Expands Homeland Security Mission,” Homeland Defense Watch,
Oct. 25, 2005.

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defense systems and unmanned aerial vehicles. It also maintains a joint air surveillance
system with the FAA.7
Marine Forces North (MARFORNORTH). In the fall of 2004, DOD designated
Marine Forces Reserve Command in New Orleans, LA as a NORTHCOM component.
The reserve three-star Marine commander is responsible for force-protection of Marine
installations and coordinating Marine forces assigned to NORTHCOM. Additionally, to
assist NORTHCOM civil support planning, the command has thirty-two Marine
Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officers (EPLO) focused on specific FEMA regions.
During the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, 20 of the 32 EPLOs worked in various FEMA,
DOD and state operations centers to coordinate Marine support.8
Standing Joint Force Headquarters North. All combatant commands have
this function embedded in their headquarters to focus on readiness. Their mission is to
provide the commander with situational understanding to allow rapid transition to a
contingency response posture. When directed, they deploy with command and control
assets to facilitate rapid establishment of a JTF.9
Joint Task Force North (JTF-N). Based at Biggs Army Airfield, Fort Bliss, TX,
JTF-N aids law enforcement agencies protecting U.S. borders. Established in September
2004, JTF-N inherited a counter-drug mission from its predecessor JTF-6 which had 15
years of interagency experience integrating military capabilities with federal, state and
local law enforcement. In addition to exercises and planning, task force operations include
reconnaissance, surveillance, detection and infrastructure construction missions that often
leverage military units training for deployment to Iraq or Afghanistan.10
Joint Task Force Civil Support (JTF-CS). Headquartered at Fort Monroe in
Hampton, VA, this JTF assists the lead federal agency managing the consequences of a
chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or high-yield explosive incident in the U.S. or
its territories and possessions. It was established in 1999 under U.S. Joint Forces
Command and its coordination with agencies like FEMA is more mature. Recent
exercises suggest increased focus on state level engagements as well.11
Joint Force Headquarters National Capital Region (JFHQ-NCR). This JTF
is located at Fort Lesley J. McNair in Washington, DC, and its service components include
the U.S. Army Military District of Washington, the Air Force District of Washington, the
Naval District of Washington and the Marine Corps National Capital Region Command.
7 Carlos Munoz, “AFNORTH Will Rely More on Ground Based Mobile Defense Systems, Inside
the Air Force, July 7, 2006, vol 7, no. 27.
8 Statement of Commander Marine Forces North, Lt General Jack W. Bergman before the
Commission on the National Guard and Reserves on July 19, 2006.
9 S t a n d i n g J o i n t H e a d q u a r t e r s N o r t h o n l i n e a t
[http://www.northcom.mil/about_us/SJFHQN.html].
10 Testimony of Director of Operations, U.S. Northern Command, Major General Richard Rowe,
before the House Armed Services committee, May 24, 2006.
11 Captain Michael Giles, “Joint Task Force Civil Support Participates in Nuclear Exercise,” US
Fed News, Oct. 16, 2006.

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It facilitates cooperative planning and exercising between these components, Coast Guard
District 5 and other federal, state and local agencies to ensure unity of effort in the event
of manmade or natural catastrophes. They also assist federal agencies during National
Special Security Events such as coordinating the use of over 2000 DOD troops to support
the Secret Service during the President’s 2006 State of the Union Address.12
Interagency Relationships
Joint Interagency Coordination Group (JIACG). To facilitate interagency
relationships, NORTHCOM has liaison officers from over 60 federal and non-federal
agencies in the Peterson AFB area. These personnel provide subject matter expertise and
a liaison with their parent organizations. Some of the non-DOD agencies represented
include Central Intelligence Agency, Customs and Border Patrol, Environmental
Protection Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigation, FEMA, FAA, Immigration and
Customs Enforcement, Transportation Security Administration, and U.S. Geological
Survey.13 Additionally, the JIACG does focused planning on specific issues with potential
nationwide impact. For example, in August 2006, representatives from the Center for
Disease Control and the Department of Health and Human Services met with members of
the JIACG to ensure mutually supporting efforts and eliminate unnecessary overlap in
responding to potential pandemic flu.14
DHS. At the department level, DOD has 65 personnel working in DHS and the
organizations have senior officials meeting daily at the principal and deputy level.15 There
are NORTHCOM personnel assigned to DHS components as in the case of defense
coordinating officers in FEMA regions and during an emergency response, NORTHCOM
assigns senior military officers to the appropriate FEMA headquarters. Likewise, by a
memorandum of understanding, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) has 20 personnel serving
on the NORTHCOM headquarter staff and senior leadership meets on a regular basis to
discuss maritime homeland defense roles and responsibilities.16
National Guard. Although the National Guard Bureau (NGB) is a DOD
organization, day to day most national guard forces report to their state leadership. In the
aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, NORTHCOM and the NGB took steps to improve
coordination with and visibility over National Guard forces serving in state and federal
roles. These include a formal policy on command, control and communications; an
advisory board to expedite solutions for improving information sharing; and over 87
12 Testimony of Commander, Joint Force Headquarters National Capital Region, Major General
Guy C. Swan III before the House Committee on Government Reform July 21, 2006.
13 Testimony of Commander, U.S. Northern Command, Admiral Timothy J. Keating, before the
Senate Armed Services Committee on March 14, 2006.
14 “USNORTHCOM Hosts Work Group for Pandemic Influenza Planning” US Fed News, Aug.
25, 2006.
15 Interview with Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense, Paul McHale in Joint
Forces Quarterly, issue 40, 1st Quarter 2006, p. 11.
16 Testimony of Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, Admiral Thad Allen, before the Senate
Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security on September 7, 2006.

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NORTHCOM mobile training team visits to demonstrate collaborative tools to the NGB
joint operations center and state level guard headquarters.17
International Security Cooperation
Canada. With a 45 year NORAD relationship, NORTHCOM started with
established Canadian theater cooperation tools. In December 2002, Canada and the United
States established the Bi-national Planning Group at NORAD/NORTHCOM headquarters
to review theater cooperation in the post 9/11 security environment. The 50 person
military team dissolved in May 2006 after submitting a final report that included 62
recommendations. Some, like authority for WMD teams to cross the border, will require
legislative change. However, most, like protocols for information sharing between
NORAD, NORTHCOM and Canada’s newly formed Canada Command, could be
orchestrated under existing laws and the NORAD agreement.18
Mexico. NORTHCOM theater security cooperation with Mexico is limited to anti-
drug trafficking operations and senior officer visits with Mexican counterparts. The
former is a continuation of JTF-6 interactions while the latter is difficult because the
Mexican defense establishment does not have a natural entry point for combatant
command level engagement. Mexican defense leaders have historically interacted with
the Office of the Secretary of Defense because no combatant command had geographic
responsibility for Mexico.19
Issues for Congress
DOD Reorganization/Unified Command Plan (UCP). Congress recently
approved DOD’s request for a tenth assistant secretary of defense (ASD) to facilitate the
reorganization of the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy [OUSD (P)].
The Conference Report for the 2007 National Defense Authorization Act expressed
several concerns about the reorganization and directed the Secretary of Defense to submit
a report on 1 February 2007 to address them. One of the concerns was the ASD for
Homeland Defense inheriting a Western Hemisphere focus.20 DOD intended for the
reorganization to streamline combatant command interactions with OUSD (P). However,
the proposed ASD for Homeland Defense and Americas Affairs as well as the new ASD
for Global Security Policy both appear to have NORTHCOM interests.
As DOD prepares its report, some may call for major changes to the UCP. DOD is
contemplating a separate Africa Command and after only 4 years in existence, the
NORTHCOM geographic area of responsibility continues to be refined. A May 2006
17 Testimony by Commander, U.S. Northern Command, Admiral Timothy J. Keating before the
Commission on the National Guard and Reserves on May 3rd, 2006.
18 “Canadian-US Planning Group calls for C4 cooperation,” Aerospace Daily & Defense Report,
April 26th, 2006, Vol 218, No. 18.
19 John A. Cope, “A Prescription for Protecting the Southern Approach,” Joint Forces Quarterly,
issue 42, 3rd quarter 2006, pg 19.
20 Conference Report on H.R. 5122, “John Warner National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2007, p. H8426.

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revision of the UCP shifted the Aleutian Islands from PACOM to NORTHCOM while
moving Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas and the U.S. Virgin Islands from NORTHCOM
to SOUTHCOM.21 With OUSD (P) reorganizing, there may be merit to refining
combatant command boundaries particularly between NORTHCOM and U.S. Southern
and Pacific Commands.

Interagency Relationships/Katrina Lessons. Based on lessons learned from
the response to Hurricane Katrina, DOD and DHS have taken several steps to improve
coordination at all levels of both organizations. As noted above, DOD stood up
ARNORTH with a focus on military assistance to civil authorities. Likewise,
NORTHCOM continues to make tangible efforts to improve cooperation and coordination
with National Guard forces as well as key partners like FEMA. Additionally, the
command has fielded additional indigenous communication capabilities. With the focus
on interagency coordination, some are calling for legislation to codify processes with
something similar to the Goldwater-Nichols Act that reorganized DOD. It would establish
a framework for interagency operations and also build a culture of cooperation through
agency personnel exchanges and professional education. Conversely, homeland security
requires cooperation across the spectrum of federal, state and local agencies and there is
danger in creating extraneous layers at the federal level. This could make it more difficult
for state and local level interaction with federal agencies.
Increased Reliance on Reserve components. Nearly 150 reserve and
national guard members staff NORTHCOM headquarters including five general officers.
Its Air Force and Marine Components are reserve commands that have full time missions;
JTF-CS is primarily a reserve organization, and JTF-N relies on reserve component units
to conduct operations. Likewise, the NCR Integrated Air Defense System is operated by
National Guard forces in Title 10 status and since 9/11 over 70% of the nation’s air
defense sorties have been flown by reserve component forces.22 As NORTHCOM
continues to apply lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina, reserve component forces will
likely receive more missions to support civil authorities. Reserve component forces are
also deploying overseas in large numbers for other combatant commanders. As
mobilizations continue and homeland security missions increase, more reserve component
forces are serving in full time status. This creates near- and long-term resource issues as
Congress considers future defense appropriations. Additionally, the heritage of “citizen-
soldiers”could be lost as reserve components are used more as an operational reserve.
DOD’s recent Quadrennial Defense Review highlighted several specific changes it was
pursuing to increase access reserve component forces.23 The Commission on the National
Guard and Reserves is scheduled to provide Congress an interim report on these issues in
March 2007.
21 “Bush Approves Update to Unified Command Plan, Assigns New Missions,” Inside Missile
Defense, Vol 12, June 7th, 2006.
22 Testimony of Commander, U.S. Northern Command, Admiral Timothy J. Keating before the
Commission on National Guard and Reserves on May 3rd, 2006.
23 Department of Defense, “Quadrennial Defense Review Report,” February 6th, 2006, p.76-77.

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