PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- The commander of North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command gave "state of the commands" testimony March 17 and 18 in Washington, D.C., to the Senate and House Armed Services Committees.
General Gene Renuart outlined the missions of both NORAD and USNORTHCOM, specifically stating, “Homeland defense is the preeminent mission of USNORTHCOM and NORAD. Our Commands are vigilant in protecting our citizens from threats that exist in the air, space, land, maritime and cyberspace domains. As we look to the future, our aim is to secure our environment by deterring and, if necessary, defeating those who threaten our way of life.”
Gen. Renuart also spoke and was questioned by Senators and Representatives on a number of other issues, including air sovereignty operations, aircraft recapitalization, civil support operations (including hurricane and wildfire response), support to federal law enforcement agencies, and partnerships with Canada and Mexico.
He also answered questions from committee members on the drug violence in Mexico, missile defense and the CBRNE Consequence Management Response Force.
USNORTHCOM was established Oct. 1, 2002, to provide command and control of Department of Defense homeland defense efforts and to coordinate defense support of civil authorities.
NORAD is a bi-national United States and Canadian organization charged with the missions of aerospace warning and aerospace control for North America.
To read General Renuart’s full statements, please go to http://www.northcom.mil/home.html and click on transcripts.