United States Northern Command

Also known as NORTHCOM, the Northern Command is the newest unified command under the United States Department of Defense. Created on April 17, 2002, NORTHCOM began operations on October 1, 2002, out of Peterson AFB in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It takes over from United States Space Command and assumes much of the burden previously placed on the United States Joint Forces Command.

NORTHCOM's area of responsibility is North America, including Canada, Mexico, Cuba, and U.S. territorial waters in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Caribbean. The commander of NORTHCOM is also commander of NORAD.

Units under NORTHCOM include:

• Joint Task Force Civil Support (NBC warfare teams, to be deployed in case of a weapons of mass destruction attack on America)
• First Air Force (fighter jets responsible for maintaining air superiority over the continental US)
• Air Force National Security Emergency Preparedness
• 4th Marine Expeditionary Brigade (counterterrorism group)

NORTHCOM's current responsibilities include Operation Noble Eagle and Operation Border Support.