Joint Task Force Alaska (JTF-AK), headquartered at
Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in
Alaska
Alaska ( ; russian: Аляска, Alyaska; ale, Alax̂sxax̂; ; ems, Alas'kaaq; Yup'ik: ''Alaskaq''; tli, Anáaski) is a state located in the Western United States on the northwest extremity of North America. A semi-exclave of the U.S., ...
is a multi-service command composed of approximately 80 soldiers, sailors, airmen, coast guardsmen and civilian specialists. The task force is a homeland defense component of
U.S. Northern Command
United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) is one of eleven unified combatant commands of the United States Department of Defense. The command is tasked with providing military support for non-military authorities in the U.S., and protect ...
that coordinates the land defense of Alaska and also coordinates military assistance to civil authorities. The JTF-AK's goals are stated as "detect, deter, prevent and defeat terrorist threats within the Alaskan joint area of operations". The task force also states that is conducts civil support as directed.
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). 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 Alaska for their potential vulnerability as targets for aggression, such as terrorism. JTF-AK provides
situational awareness
Situational awareness or situation awareness (SA) is the perception of environmental elements and events with respect to time or space, the comprehension of their meaning, and the projection of their future status. An alternative definition is tha ...
to military commands and civilian agencies throughout the state of Alaska 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
A weapon of mass destruction (WMD) is a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or any other weapon that can kill and bring significant harm to numerous individuals or cause great damage to artificial structures (e.g., buildings), natura ...
. The task force provides assistance to a lead federal agency when tasked by the DoD. Per the
Posse Comitatus Act, 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 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 JTF-AK 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
The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) is the presiding officer of the United States Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). The chairman is the highest-ranking and most senior military officer in the United States Armed Forces Chairman: app ...
directed
USNORTHCOM
United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) is one of eleven unified combatant commands of the United States Department of Defense. The command is tasked with providing military support for Civil authority, non-military authorities in the U ...
to establish and
USPACOM
United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) is a unified combatant command of the United States Armed Forces responsible for the Indo-Pacific region.
Formerly known as United States Pacific Command (USPACOM) since its inception in 1947, t ...
to source JTF-AK.
External links
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Alaskan Command
The Alaskan Command (ALCOM) is a joint subordinate unified command of the United States Northern Command, responsible for operations in and around the State of Alaska. Alaskan Command is charged with maintaining air sovereignty, deploying force ...
Joint Task Force-Alaska Official Website
2002 establishments in Alaska
Joint task forces of the United States Armed Forces
Military units and formations in Alaska
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