{"id":30848,"date":"2019-01-29T19:25:40","date_gmt":"2019-01-29T19:25:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2019\/01\/29\/look-north-to-find-the-front-line-of-americas-defense\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T22:33:52","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T22:33:52","slug":"look-north-to-find-the-front-line-of-americas-defense","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/commentary\/2019\/01\/29\/look-north-to-find-the-front-line-of-americas-defense\/","title":{"rendered":"Look north to find the front line of North America\u2019s defense"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As the commander<\/a> of North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command<\/a> \u2014 two distinct commands with complementary missions and capabilities \u2014 my top priority is the defense of the United States and Canada. In recent years, the front line of homeland defense has shifted north. The Arctic is a potential approach for our adversaries to conduct strikes on North America and is now the front line in our defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The defense of our nations depends on our ability to detect and defeat attacks on Canada and the United States wherever they arise. Achieving the capabilities necessary for military operations in the Arctic requires deliberate engagement and coordination with key stakeholders, and we are rolling up our sleeves and driving solutions to meet the inherent challenges of Arctic operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prudent investments in surveillance, communications, infrastructure and presence are necessary for developing and maintaining a credible military capability in the Arctic. In some cases, like the U.S. Navy\u2019s Mobile User Objective System satellite communication system or the U.S. Air Force\u2019s air operations, we are working with the services to apply current capabilities to enhance future operations. In others, like NORAD\u2019s North Warning System, we are driving advance procurement for radars and space-based systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On any given day, NORAD\u2019s binational forces are undertaking continuous aerospace and maritime warning and aerospace control in the defense of North America, including our shared northern approaches. Similarly, USNORTHCOM forces are always on watch in the Arctic, directing operations, maintaining a presence in Alaska\u2019s harsh wilderness and surveilling some of the world\u2019s most foreboding coastlines. We are actively transforming how we operate, exercise and think about the defense of our nations. Along with allies and partners, we are assessing changing environmental and strategic conditions throughout the region \u2014 across borders and operational boundaries \u2014 in an ongoing, active and collaborative effort to support safe, responsible use of the Arctic and, where necessary, reduce the risks associated with increased civilian and military presence.<\/p>\n\n\n\t