Northcom Supports Response to Severe Midwest Weather

From a U.S. Northern Command News Release

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo., May 25, 2011 – At the request of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Northern Command officials today activated their defense coordinating officer and defense coordinating element for FEMA Region 7 and extended those functions for FEMA Region 6 in support of response efforts to the severe weather in the Midwest.

U.S. Army North’s defense coordinating officer and defense coordinating element for Region 6 initially were activated to support flood relief in the South and have been extended with the activation of FEMA Region 7 to provide assessment and coordinate Defense Department assets as required in the Midwest, officials said.

Defense coordinating officers and defense coordinating elements work closely with federal, state, tribal and local officials to determine what unique Defense Department capabilities can assist in mitigating the effects of severe weather.

Emergency preparedness liaison officers from U.S. Fleet Forces Command, U.S. Air Forces Northern and Marine Forces North will deploy to FEMA Region 7 to help the defense coordinating officer assess and plan DOD support of civil authorities.

The Defense Department has capabilities that can save lives, as well as other capabilities such as airlift, medical and communications support and planning.

Northcom is the joint combatant command formed in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to provide homeland defense and defense support of civil authorities.