Joint Task Force-Alaska
Encyclopedia
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
, is a multi-service command composed of approximately 80 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Coast Guardsmen and Department of Defense civilian specialists. The task force is a homeland defense component of U.S. Northern Command
United States Northern Command
United States Northern Command is a Unified Combatant Command of the United States military. Created on 1 October 2002 in the aftermath of the 11 September 2001 attacks, its mission is to protect the United States homeland and support local, state, and federal authorities...
that coordinates the land defense of Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
and coordinates military assistance to civil authorities.
JTF-AK plans and integrates the full spectrum of DoD support to homeland defense and civil support to lead federal agencies, such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is an agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security, initially created by Presidential Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1978 and implemented by two Executive Orders...
. Prevention, crisis response and consequence management are capabilities included within the spectrum of support.
In coordination with other federal, state and local agencies, JTF-AK constantly evaluates events and locations throughout the state of Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
for their potential vulnerability as targets for aggression, such as terrorism. JTF-AK provides situational awareness to military commands and civilian agencies throughout the state of Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
and the continental U.S. to aid in homeland security awareness and planning.
JTF-AK’s civil support mission includes domestic disaster relief operations that occur during fires, hurricanes, floods and earthquakes. Support also includes managing the consequences of a terrorist event employing a weapon of mass destruction. The task force provides assistance to a lead federal agency when tasked by DoD
United States Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
. Per the Posse Comitatus Act
Posse Comitatus Act
The Posse Comitatus Act is an often misunderstood and misquoted United States federal law passed on June 18, 1878, after the end of Reconstruction. Its intent was to limit the powers of local governments and law enforcement agencies from using federal military personnel to enforce the laws of...
, military forces can provide civil support in order to save lives, prevent injuries and provide temporary critical life support, but cannot become directly involved in law enforcement.
The mission of support to civil authorities is not a new one for DoD
United States Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
. The U.S. military has a long history of providing assistance to civil authorities during emergencies and other instances of national concern. An emergency must exceed the management capabilities of local, state and federal agencies before Joint Task Force – Alaska and its components becomes involved. In most cases, support will be limited, localized and specific. When the scope if the disaster is reduced to the point that the lead federal agency can again assume full control and management without military assistance, JTF-AK will exit, leaving the on-scene experts to finish the job.
On February 11, 2002, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is by law the highest ranking military officer in the United States Armed Forces, and is the principal military adviser to the President of the United States, the National Security Council, the Homeland Security Council and the Secretary of Defense...
directed USNORTHCOM
United States Northern Command
United States Northern Command is a Unified Combatant Command of the United States military. Created on 1 October 2002 in the aftermath of the 11 September 2001 attacks, its mission is to protect the United States homeland and support local, state, and federal authorities...
to establish and USPACOM
United States Pacific Command
The United States Pacific Command is a Unified Combatant Command of the United States armed forces responsible for the Pacific Ocean area. It is led by the Commander, Pacific Command , who is the supreme military authority for the various branches of the Armed Forces of the United States serving...
to source JTF-AK.
External links
- Alaskan CommandAlaskan CommandThe Alaskan Command is a regional military command of the United States Armed Forces focusing on the state of Alaska. A sub-unified command of the United States Pacific Command, Alaskan Command is charged with maintaining air sovereignty, deploying forces for worldwide contingencies as directed by...
- Joint Task Force-Alaska Official Website