New Combat Commander Visits WADS
Story by SSgt Mark Morgan; Photos by MSgt Randy LaBrune - Posted Jan, 2003
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In the year following the terrorist attacks, Department of Defense leadership created USNORTHCOM as a part of an overall military transformation; the unified command was activated 01 Oct 02 at Peterson Air Force Base, CO.
Gen. Ralph E. Ed Eberhart, the first Commander of America's newest unified command - the Northern Command, or USNORTHCOM - paid a visit to the Western Air Defense Sector facilities located on McChord Air Force Base, in Tacoma WA last October. Gen Eberhard is also Commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command, of which the WADS - an all Air Guard unit - is a part. The general spoke on the responsibilities and functions of USNORTHCOM, and of the critical role played by the Air National Guard.
As the first unified command specifically tasked with homeland defense, USNORTHCOMs mission is succinct: to conduct operations to deter, prevent and defeat threats and aggressions aimed at the United States, its territories and interests within the area of responsibility and, as directed by the President or Secretary of Defense, provide military assistance to civil authorities. As such it provides unity of command, coordinating the defense efforts of joint organizations like NORAD, the five services including the U.S. Coast Guard, the National Guard Bureau, the state Adjutants General, the state militias and federal agencies such as the FBI, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), U.S. Customs Service and others.
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General Eberhart visited McChord Air Force Base, in Tacoma, WA, in October of 2002 as part of USNORTHCOMs activation. His visit incorporated meetings and tours at the Washington Air National Guard's Western Air Defense Sector (WADS) as well as additional meetings with Maj. Gen. Timothy J. Lowenberg, Adjutant General of the Washington National Guard. Following his tour at WADS General Eberhart met briefly with the press in the State Room of the Northwest Connection to discuss his commands mission with representatives from the media.
According to both general officers, just as WADS plays a premier role under NORAD in guarding Americas western skies, the state of Washington will continue to lead in the type of military-civil cooperation that marks Northern Command.
"Governor Locke and I have discussed homeland security issues on many occasions over the past three years, especially since the attacks of Sept. 11," General Lowenberg stated during his introduction of General Eberhart. As you know, the governor formed a statewide committee on terrorism in November 1999 to synchronize the efforts of more than 35 federal, state, local and private sector agencies, focused on defending against terrorist attacks.
"We've accomplished a great deal in the last 13 months but have many determined enemies who are committed to our destruction. So while we have accomplished a great deal, a great deal remains to be done. General Eberhart and I have been meeting to discuss the path ahead for military support to civil authorities."
Opening with specific comments on NORAD which through WADS and its predecessors has been a key component of Air Force life at McChord since the command was establishment in September of 1957 General Eberhart pointed out that NORAD personnel have flown over 25,000 sorties since Sept. 11, 2001.
"They've done that without a misstep or an accident and I believe that our presence, the ability ensures that our skies are safe (and) has kept us from having an additional incident since that day," he commented. "As Tim mentioned, were not going to rest on our laurels. We're very interested in the way ahead, how we can continue to deter and prevent any attacks on our nation and with the NORAD hat on to our neighbor to the north, Canada."
"I'm also here as commander of NORAD, and WADS is a key component (of that command). About 60 to 70 percent of the United States is covered by John (WADS commander Col. John L. Cromwell) and his team. They have contributed to the safety of our skies that weve enjoyed since that tragic day and its a wonderful opportunity to thank them."
General Eberhart noted that from the day of the attacks through October 1st, 2002 the President and Secretary of Defense had to call one commander for land and maritime defense and call another for air and space defense. That changed with the establishment of USNORTHCOM, which he described as "like the other (unified commands) in most ways but unique."
"We defend our people, our interests and the interests of our friends and allies. But this commands different; the area of responsibility is our homeland. We provide support to civil authorities. We provide military forces to assist lead agencies." Stressing the Constitutions restrictions on what the military can and cannot do, the General added, "In most cases inside the United States we will not be the lead agency but will support agencies like the FBI. We will take our tasking from these lead agencies."
He stressed interoperability between the military components as well as training and the use of technology, noting the new command was learning lessons from every circumstance, including the National Guards participation in airport and border security missions over the past year.
He admitted a concern over additional terrorist attacks, particularly if the United States gets involved in hostilities overseas but added, "My advice: don't try it, you're not going to be successful. If you do try it, we're going to defeat you."
General Eberhart is a 1968 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and a command pilot with over 4500 hours, primarily in fighter and training aircraft. He completed 300 combat missions as a Forward Air Controller (FAC) in Vietnam with the 20th Tactical Air Support Squadron out of Pleiku Air Base, Republic of Vietnam. His previous assignments included command of the 363rd Tactical Fighter Wing during Operation Desert Shield and Commander of the Fifth Air Force. He served as Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force from 1997 to 1999 and as Commander of Air Combat Command from 1999 to 2000. He assumed the duties of CINCNORAD, CINC U.S. Space Command and Commander, Air Force Space Command in February 2000, which he held until he assumed command of USNORTHCOM.
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