1
See Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Joint Publication 3-26, “Homeland Security,” August 2
nd
,
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
CRS Report for Congress
Received through the CRS Web
Order Code RS21322
Updated November 16, 2006
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
