SCHOOL THESIS

3. U.S. Northern Command
Created in 2002, USNORTHCOM is the Combatant Command charged with
conducting homeland defense, civil support and security cooperation to defend and
secure the U.S. and its interests within the North America. (See Figure 12.)
“USNORTHCOM’s area of responsibility includes air, land and sea approaches
and encompasses the continental U.S., Alaska, Canada, Mexico and the surrounding
water out to approximately 500 nautical miles. It also includes the Gulf of Mexico, the
Straits of Florida, and portions of the Caribbean region to include The Bahamas, Puerto
Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The commander of USNORTHCOM is responsible for
theater security cooperation with Canada, Mexico, and The Bahamas.” 61
“USNORTHCOM consolidates under a single unified command existing missions
that were previously executed by other DOD organizations. This consolidation provides
better unity of command, which is critical to mission accomplishment.” 62
USNORTHCOM is a located at Peterson AFB, Colorado.
Figure 12.
USNORTHCOM Emblem.
61 U.S. Northern Command, “About USNORTHCOM,” accessed 30 Dec 2014,
http://www.northcom.mil/AboutUSNORTHCOM.aspx
62 Ibid.
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