Communications and Integration Enhancements to Improve Homeland Security
Abstract
This paper addresses specific and streamlined situational awareness recommendations that, when combined with National Guard capabilities, will greatly enhance U.S. Homeland Security responses. These technology enhancements and processes combined with the force capabilities that the National Guard has recently created, when integrated with other national capabilities, will greatly improve national coordination during responses to national disasters or potential terrorist attacks. These capabilities are especially critical in responding to potential mega-terror events for which the nation needs to prepare. Because of the sense of urgency generated from the attacks of September 11, 2001, a large amount of money has been spent to prepare the country for future terrorist attacks. Unfortunately, there has been too little attention given to ensure that the resulting system-of-systems is seamlessly tied together. The Department of Defense is one of many federal agencies and organizations responsible for Homeland Security. The military, being the lead for Homeland Defense, is supported by other agencies in defending against external threats and aggression. However, in most instances, the collaboration capabilities were specifically designed for military operations not Homeland Security. In a tight budgetary environment, utilizing all the nation's capabilities in the optimal way must be a top priority. The National Guard provides a cost-effective and responsive force that can utilize not only its manpower and resources, but also its positioning in local communities where it has been performing Homeland Security and Defense for over 300 years. Building on this foundation is a force structure trained to respond to catastrophic events. The problem addressed here is how the nation can capitalize on the National Guard's evolving capabilities to help bring the nation's other agencies seamlessly into responses to natural disasters or terrorist attacks.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA475816
Entities
People
- Terrance W. Sando
Organizations
- Air University