Specialized Regional National Guard Brigades - The Army's Federal Disaster Response Force
Abstract
The unthinkable occurred on September 11th and forced the United States to recognize the potential threats as well as the need to prepare more thoroughly for the potential consequences of such threats. The question still remains, who will provide military assistance to civil authorities in the event of a significant disaster? This author presents a framework of Department of Homeland Security, Northern Command, and the potential missions of the Army under Civil Support, just one function of Homeland Security. The monograph then presents options for the Army by describing three response forces under NORTHCOM during a disaster. These options include using the disaster stricken states' NG units in federal status, using a non-specialized active Army unit, or using regionally located, specialized NG brigades. The federal government established the Department of Homeland Security in order to prevent terrorist attacks within the United States, to reduce America's vulnerability to terrorism, and to minimize the damage and recover from attacks that do occur. They established NORTHCOM to conduct operations to deter, prevent, and defeat threats and aggression aimed at the United States, its territories, and interests within the assigned area of responsibility; and as directed by the President or Secretary of Defense, providing military assistance to civil authorities including consequence management operations. The Army needs to recognize that a specialized organization is the optimal solution for disaster response. This monograph established a skeleton of a specialized regional brigade construct that could be implemented and refined to better serve the Army's purpose.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 24, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA415828
Entities
People
- Kristina A. Emmons
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College