11/10/2011 - PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFNS) -- At the request of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Northern Command activated the Defense Coordinating Officer and Defense Coordinating Element Nov. 9 in preparation for support to civil authorities in advance of a severe winter storm expected along the Alaskan west coast.
DCOs and DCEs work very closely with federal, state, tribal and local officials to determine what unique Defense Department capabilities can be brought to assist in mitigating the effects of severe weather.
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.
(Courtesy of U.S. Northern Command Public Affairs.)
