Army North Springs into Action as Hurricane Irene Closes In on Eastern Coast

Strategic Insights -

As Hurricane Irene barreled towards the eastern coast of the United States, Army North's headquarters sprang into action on August 25. The command's operations center in the historic Quadrangle became a hub of activity as Soldiers and civilian partners worked to manage the storm's track and issue instructions to land-based forces preparing to respond to requests for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). With Vibrant Response 12, a U.S. Northern Command field training exercise, coinciding with the hurricane, Army North was able to quickly deploy its experts to where they were needed most - providing aid to fellow Americans in their time of need.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Army North headquarters' operations center in Fort Sam Houston, Texas, became a hub of activity as Hurricane Irene approached the eastern coast of the United States, with Soldiers and civilian partners working to manage the storm's track.
  • The command deployed nine of its 10 Defense Coordinating Elements to join with FEMA Incident Management Teams across the northeastern U.S. and the National Response Coordination Center in Washington D.C.
  • Army North quickly deployed 6,500 active-duty service members to standby, ready to assist potential states affected by the hurricane, with nearly 100 troops providing command and control for military forces supporting efforts in the northeast.
  • The command deployed two headquarters elements - Joint Task Force - 51 and Joint Task Force - Civil Support - to help synchronize federal response efforts, working with National Guard forces, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps to support the entire government's response effort.
  • The dual-status commander concept, created in 2009, was used for the first time in response to Hurricane Irene, providing command and control over both active-duty and reserve-component forces in New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, and Rhode Island.

Statistics:

  • 6,500 active-duty service members were on standby since August 27 to assist states affected by Hurricane Irene.
  • 9 Defense Coordinating Elements were deployed to join with FEMA Incident Management Teams across the northeastern U.S. and the National Response Coordination Center in Washington D.C.
  • Nearly 100 troops from U.S. Army North and U.S. Northern Command provided command and control for military forces supporting efforts in the northeast.
  • The dual-status commander concept, created in 2009, was used for the first time in response to Hurricane Irene.
  • U.S. Army North deployed two headquarters elements, Joint Task Force - 51 and Joint Task Force - Civil Support, to support federal response efforts.

Sources:

  • The information was released by the U.S. Northern Command.
  • "Vibrant Response 12" field training exercise information.
  • "Joint Task Force - 51" information.
  • "Joint Task Force - Civil Support" information.
  • Quotes from Lt. Gen. Guy Swan III, commanding general, U.S. Army North and Fort Sam Houston.
  • Quotes from Bill Donaher, plans and operations officer with Army North's Region I DCE.
  • Quotes from Navy Lt. Clemia Anderson III, joint regional medical planner, U.S. Northern Command.
  • Quotes from Army Lt. Col. Kem Fleming, operations officer with Army North.
  • Quotes from Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Bailey, operations noncommissioned officer, DCE, Region II.
  • Quotes from Sgt. 1st Class LaMarr Payne, operations NCO, DCE, Region IV.