PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. – Gen. Chuck Jacoby, Commander of North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command will attend the Northern Chiefs of Defence Meeting to be held June 11-12 in Ilulissat, Greenland.
Chiefs of Defense from eight Arctic nations including the United States, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and Russia were invited to attend. The meeting will further strengthen relations between Arctic nations and broaden mutual understanding of each nation's abilities to support civilian authorities and perform Arctic search and rescue, mass casualty response, and marine oil pollution response.
Opportunities for joint Arctic training and ways to provide enhanced cooperation to civilian authorities will also be explored.
"Enhancing partnerships now through productive engagements like the Northern Chiefs of Defence Meeting is essential to strengthening long-term Arctic security and cooperation" said Jacoby. "This meeting is an invaluable venue to share concerns and learn from each other as we adapt to the effects of the changing climate and improve our ability to operate in this challenging environment.”
As commander of USNORTHCOM, Gen. Jacoby's area of responsibility includes the continental United States, Alaska, Canada, Mexico, parts of the Caribbean and surrounding waters out to approximately 500 nautical miles. USNORTHCOM advocates for Department of Defense capabilities required to respond and operate in the Arctic.
NORAD is a bi-national United States and Canadian organization charged with the missions of aerospace warning and aerospace control for North America.
USNORTHCOM 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.
NOTE TO EDITORS: For further information, please contact NORAD and USNORTHCOM Public Affairs at (719) 554-6889 or visit our Web sites at www.norad.mil or www.northcom.mil
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