Michael Webster: Publisher/Editor. The Journal Family of publications headquartered at 301 Forest Ave. Laguna Beach, CA 92651

THE WORLD'S  OLDEST ON-LINE NEWS GATHERING & INFORMATION SOURCE  DEDICATED TO RAISING PUBLIC AWARENESS WITH FREE EXPRESSION

YOUR SOURCE FOR CALIFORNIA, NATIONAL & GLOBAL BREAKING NEWS

U.S. Command Denies Military Task Force Exists

by Michael Webster: Investigative Reporter: March 20, 2008 12:45 PM PST

Army helicopter from White Sands Missile Range has been seen patrolling the U.S. Mexican border

Photo added 1-23-08 American Border Patrol

On March 13, 2008 I reported that I had learned that a special U.S. Military Task Force had been created to protect our southern border with Mexico. I reported that members of that Task Force was preparing to secure the border by responding with specially trained fast response U.S. Army task force military units. These forces are already in place with the heart of the power being concentrated in El Paso and Southern New Mexico with a far reaching responsibility from East Texas to Southern California. They are being staged and immediately available as emergency  "on call" units for use against terrorist threats on the nation's border and local disasters. In the article I referenced what Gen. Victor E. Renuart Jr., commander of United States Northern Command and the North American Aerospace Defense Commander had said in a recent interview with the press.

The article went on to point out that the Ft. Bliss 1st Armored Division was part of this effort and reported that a new missile defense unit is being created at Fort Bliss. America's first air defense and believed by Jane's Intel Web Report to be the owners of the sky where ever they fly are the F-22 Raptors that are stationed at Holloman Air Force Base. “They will be available to defend homeland security, Renuart said.

Renuart, who visited Joint Task Force-North, which is under his command, declined to discuss any details of threats uncovered along the border with Mexico, but he said many agencies, including JTF-North, have made "it a very difficult border for someone to take advantage of." That would explain why there have been recent reports of U.S. military being seen on the border.

NORTHCOM was established following the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, to provide for the defense of the United States and to provide military support to civil authorities when requested by the president or secretary of defense.

NORTHCOM also is responsible for overseeing military responses to natural and man-made disasters,

                                                   Gen. Victor E. Renuart Jr.

                                                Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Gail

such as hurricanes and incidents involving weapons of mass destruction within the United States borders.

The General has said in the past that one of his high priorities is funding, training and equipping emergency response teams designated to work with local citizens and state first responders in the case of any attacks such as chemical or biological threats, in additional to natural disasters.

“It is important to have good visibility as the principal combatant commander on the readiness of potential forces,” he said, “and to also understand carefully how the individual states view their capabilities to respond to a disaster or an emergency.”

He said the command’s current leadership has created pre-scripted mission orders and pre-positioned equipment in key areas for short-notice use.

“I’m completely committed to continuing that effort,” he said, “with a special effort on the communications (so) that they’re interoperable not just among the Guard and the active force, but among the various federal agencies who would respond.”

Defending the homeland and providing defense support of civil authorities are top priorities for NORAD and NORTHCOM, the commander said.

NORAD and NORTHCOM missions are to help safeguard against terrorist and other attacks, prevent human suffering and mitigate damage to property, is of the highest importance, and we need to be able to have forces that are flexible and adaptive to support rapid decision-making in a collaborative environment.

U.S. Northern Command was established on Oct. 1, 2002, to anticipate and conduct homeland defense and civil support operations within the assigned area of responsibility to defend, protect, and secure the United States and its interests.

"We're engaged in a long struggle against violent extremists that seek to exploit any seams in our armor," Renuart said. "Our job … is to mend those seams, to strengthen the shield."

NORAD and NORTHCOM “have quietly and professionally conducted a mission that, by its nature, cannot fail," Renuart said. "It also has to be something that is invisible and transparent to our nation."

"We consider our shared and peaceful border a perfect metaphor for the relationship of two distinct, yet joined, partners," he said, adding that NORAD and NORTHCOM share an "ever-progressive" and "continually evolving" relationship with Mexico.
.
NORAD is a binational command that includes both American and Canadian forces and is charged with aerospace and maritime warning for North America. NORTHCOM is responsible for homeland defense and defense support of civil authorities.

"This is a sacred mission," Renuart said,

The article went on to reported Raptors are believed to be secretly patrolling the skies over the southern U.S. Border with Mexico. The army has been seen by lots of locals all along the border at what appears to be patrolling on the ground. U.S. Soldiers have told the Laguna Journal that those U.S. Army patrols that are on and near the border are simply on maneuvers practicing for the real thing. But say they are available to augment the thin numbers of National Guard units lift weak due to the Iraq war. They say they will be back up for the U.S. Border Patrol and other local border law enforcement agencies. Border Patrol agents and county sheriff' deputies patrolling the border have been witnessing a serous increase of sighting of what appears to be Mexican army regulars and civilian cartel Los Zetas. see: They're known as "Los Zetas

The general took issue with my article and had his subordinate Mr. Michael Kucharek, his Chief of Current Operations for NORAD and U.S. Northern Command Public Affairs officer contact me complaining that my story was inaccurate and erroneous. Mr. Kucharek stated, “Your article, “U.S. Military Being Sent to the Border with Mexico”, is inaccurate and contains erroneous data that was taken out of context from the information that was provided by Gen Renuart to El Paso Times Journalist, Chris Roberts, during the commander's recent visit to Joint Task Force North, based at Fort Bliss, Texas.

The article is erroneous when it states that a special U.S. Military Task Force has been created to protect our southern border with Mexico; no such special task force has been created.  In addition, the information pertaining to the F-22 Raptors and AWAC is also erroneous -- these aircraft are not conducting patrols over the southern border under the auspices of USNORTHCOM.”

Mr. Kucharek went on to say “ as an element of U.S. Northern Command, Joint Task Force North, established in 1989, continues to provide homeland security support to the federal law enforcement agencies throughout the U.S. Northern Command area of responsibility, to include both borders and within the Continental United States.  Mission focus, counter-drug and narco-terrorism support to the Primary Federal agency tasked with boarder security due to unique capabilities that exist within the U.S. Armed Forces.

In addition, the National Guard continues to provide support to the U.S. Border Patrol as part of Operation Jump Start, in Texas, California, Arizona and New Mexico. The National Guard is helping to secure the southern border by providing surveillance, construction, and logistics support to the U.S. Border Patrol.” See U.S. Military Being Sent to the Border with Mexico

He further encouraged me to contact him for more clarification and for correct information on the command, which I did.

I immediately made contact with Mr. Kucharek and I indicated to him that: 

I don't normally feel the need to explain or give reasons for my articles and sources. As I've been an investigative reporter for over 35 years. His denunciation of my article got my attention due to the accusations it contained. So in the interest of my readers and more accuracy in journalism I responded in hopes that he and/or Army would develop into a reliable source for me for many of the same matters we are addressing here and so I can be more accurate lets keep the channel of communications open. I conveyed to Mr. Kucharek that more often than not when I try to contact someone at the DOD they do not come to the phone and often don't return my calls. So hopefully we can develop a professional relationship in the interest of truth. I would hope that in the future the General and his staff would contact all the media in the area not just his favorite.

I assured the General through Mr. Kucharek that I re-contacted some of my sources and they re-verified the general information in my story. We also have reports from citizens that claim they are seeing Rapters flying on or near the border with Mexico. I myself have seen Awax aircraft in and around the El Paso and other southwest areas. I have also talked with troops who say they have been working near the border.

You say that the article is erroneous when it states that a special U.S. Military Task Force has been created to protect our southern border with Mexico; “no such special task force has been created”.  Yet in the very next paragraph you flatly state in your e-mail “As an element of U.S. Northern Command, Joint Task Force North, established in 1989, continues to provide homeland security support to the federal law enforcement agencies throughout the U.S. Northern Command area of responsibility, to include both borders and within the Continental United States.  Mission focus, counter-drug and narco-terrorism support to the Primary Federal agency tasked with boarder security due to unique capabilities that exist within the U.S. Armed Forces”. Authors note: The Bush (DOD) Unified Command Plan for Joint Task Forces (JTF) provide organizational skeleton for gained component forces to fill in based on the missions assigned to them). This Task Force has teamed up with many civilian agencies. That act alone creates a Joint Task Force.

Mr. Kucharek went on to say “In addition, the information pertaining to the F-22 Raptors and AWAC is also erroneous -- these aircraft are not conducting patrols over the southern border under the auspices of USNORTHCOM”. You should know, so tell me if USNORTHCOM is not doing it than what air force division is?

As I stated above many citizens are reporting seeing them. So if you truly feel there are erroneous statements in the article or any in the future you can help me avoid that by you and other U.S. Government departments by responding to my questions. Your charge of the article in question as being taken out of context, inaccurate and contains erroneous data is false. And I stand behind my article.

So I suggested that we take this opportunity to give the General a chance to accurately reply to his following statement and please tell us what he is referring to: “Renuart, who visited Joint Task Force-North, which is under his command, declined to discuss any details of threats uncovered along the border with Mexico, but he said many agencies, including JTF-North, have made "it a very difficult border for someone to take advantage of."

My questions are: 1. What threats uncovered along the border with Mexico he the General was referring to? And 2. What agencies including JTF-North, have made "it a very difficult border for someone to take advantage of?" And 3. In what way have they made it very difficult?

I ask him to please provide what he can that is true and timely information on what USNORTHCOM is actually doing or not doing.

In an unclassified response Mr. Kucharek said he is quite happy to be my source for accurate information related to Title X (Active Duty) activities at both the Canada and Mexico borders, since that is in UNSORTHCOM Area of Responsibility as defined in DOD’s Unified Command Plan.   

He also indicated he would be very happy to work with me but he was still a bit gun-shy based on my "sourcing" methods, which he believes are flawed and reckless. He claimed he, too, has been in this business on both sides of the desk for more than 20 years and can tell me that it is the kind of writing that I do -- leaps in logic and unsourced innuendo -- that makes public affairs professional "run to the hills."  Great tune (Iron Maiden), bad way to do business.  And it also does not serve the interest of my readers, which I am very happy to do through you so that an accurate picture of their U.S. government (and its Title X forces) is displayed in full view and within the bounds of information classification.

 I thanked him for his speedy reply. But indicated I still had not gotten the answers to my questions and was standing by for his “accurate” answers to my questions that I had already forwarded to him. I told him I was sorry he feels the way he does about my so called sourcing methods. But I reminded him that I have eye witness accounts from reliable American citizens and local ranchers reporting multiple sightings of F-22 Rapters flying on or near our border with Mexico.  We have reports from the Big Bend area through El Paso and into the New Mexico and Arizona deserts. We have further reports from the areas of White Sands Missile Range , McGregor Military Range  including the Sacramento Mountains in south central New Mexico.

I've been operating in the southwest for a long time and have developed lots of contacts both in the Army and the Air force from grunts to commanders. I, myself and many others have seen F-22 Rapters landing and taking off at both Holloman Air force base and even at the El Paso International airport. Numerous reports from law enforcement, border patrol and others report seeing U.S. Army troops on and around the U.S. Border. You seem like you may be a straight shooter and I hope you will prove to be. However, with all due respect, could this be happening without your knowledge? What is your clearance rating? Perhaps this information is over your pay grade. At any rate please keep me informed and as I say, I'll be standing by waiting to hear from you.


 

Classification: UNCLASSIFIED

Mr. Webster,

In response to your questions, I offer the below.  I am sorry I cannot be more specific on interdicted threats, but classification does not allow me to head down that road.   Also, for additional information and news on the commands and our subordinates, please visit www.northcom.mil.  Also, for information and news on JTF-North, please visit http://www.jtfn.northcom.mil/.  The reading room you may find interesting. 

Thanks for the opportunity to respond and please let me know if you have any additional questions.

In response to your questions:

1. What threats uncovered along the border with Mexico that Gen Renuart was referring to?

While I cannot be specific, transnational threats are those activities conducted by individuals or groups that involve international terrorism, narcotrafficking, alien smuggling, weapons of mass destruction, and includes the delivery systems for such weapons that threaten the national security of the United States.  We will not at this time identify specific threats due to operational security reasons.  In identifying the threats, we could in fact be revealing tactics we employ that we do not want our adversaries to know.  In time, some of the interdicted threats may in fact be declassified and acknowledged in the open press by the primary or lead federal law enforcement agencies, or by USNORTHCOM/JTF-North. 

2. What agencies including JTF-North have made "it a very difficult border for someone to take advantage of the border?"

U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Coast Guard, FBI and other federal, state, regional and local law enforcement agencies supported by the primary federal agencies.  In addition, and at any given time, more than 60 federal agencies are collaborating with USNORTHCOM personnel at its Colorado Springs headquarters on a daily basis for both Homeland Defense and Defense Support of Civil Authorities missions.  Members include the aforementioned as well as CIA, Canada Command, DHS, and many others.  For a complete list of our federal interagency partners, please visit www.northcom.mil.

3. In what way have they made it very difficult?

USNORTHCOM's support to federal law enforcement agencies through JTF-North includes the following assets and capabilities and believe the support listed below is testament to the ways we have made life difficult for those who would seek to exploit the borders, whether along the U.S.-Mexico border or the U.S. Canada border.

OPERATIONAL SUPPORT

o Aviation Support Operations

 Aviation Transportation/Insertion/Extraction

 Aviation Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC)

o Aviation Reconnaissance

 Daytime Operations

 Nighttime Operations

o Air and Maritime Surveillance Radar (Secretary of Defense is the approval authority)

o Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)

o Ground Surveillance Radar

o Listening Post/Observation Post (Secretary of Defense is the approval authority)

o Ground Sensor Operations

o Ground Transportation

INTELLIGENCE SUPPORT

o LEA Case Sensitive Intelligence Support

o Collaborative Threat Assessment

o Geospatial Intelligence Support

o Modified Threat Vulnerability Assessment

o Threat Link Analysis Product

 ENGINEERING SUPPORT

o Personnel Barriers

o Vehicle Barriers

o Lights

o Roads

o Bridges

GENERAL SUPPORT

o Mobile Training Teams

 Basic Marksmanship

 Combat First Aid/Trauma Training

 Counterdrug Field Tactical Police Operations

 Counterdrug Investigation Course

 Counterdrug Marksman/Observer Training Course

 Counterdrug Narco-Terrorism Personal Protection

 Counterdrug Special Reaction Team Training

 Drug Trafficking Organization Targeting

 Integrated Mission Planning

 Intelligence and Link Analysis

 Interview and Interrogation

 Law Enforcement Interdiction of Narcotics

 Multi-Subject Tactical Instruction

 Threat Assessment Training

 Other training as requested

o Tunnel Detection

o Transportation

o Sustainment

Editors Note:

In 2002 President Bush signed a new Department of Defense (DOD) Unified

Command Plan that established the United States Northern Command (NORTHCOM)

to provide command and control of DOD’s homeland defense efforts and to coordinate

military support to civil authorities. As a regional combatant command, its area of

responsibility includes the continental United States, Alaska, Canada, Mexico and the

surrounding water out to approximately 500 nautical miles, including the Gulf of Mexico

and the Straits of Florida. NORTHCOM is also responsible for security cooperation and

coordination with Canada and Mexico. Additionally, the commander of NORTHCOM

also serves as Commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command

(NORAD), a bi-national U.S. and Canadian organization charged with air and maritime

warning as well as airspace control.

 Armed Forces Press Service, “NORAD, NORTHCOM Personnel to Move,” July 31, 2006.

Upgrade of the complex computer systems that track air, missile and space defense received

scrutiny in the recently released GAO report, “Defense Acquisitions: Further Management and

Oversight Changes Needed to Modernize Cheyenne Mountain Attack Warning System,” July 2006.

“Theater-level Command Expands Homeland Security Mission,” Homeland Defense Watch,

Oct. 25, 2005.

Organization

Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado Springs, CO is home to NORTHCOM

headquarters and approximately 1,200 DOD civilians, contractors and active duty, guard,

and reserve service members from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast

Guard. Most of the U.S. military personnel also serve in NORAD positions except in the

operations directorate. In July 2006, NORTHCOM announced the Cheyenne Mountain

Operations Center (CMOC) was undergoing an 18-month transition with day-to-day

operations moving from the underground complex 15 miles west of Peterson to the

combined NORAD/NORTHCOM Command Center at Peterson. The Cold War vintage

facility under Cheyenne Mountain will remain in a“standby” status used for exercises or

contingencies. The combined command center maintains realtime communications with

command centers from approximately 150 other agencies and it has representatives from

organizations like the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the DHS National

Operations Center (NOC) working around the clock.

Like other regional combatant commands, NORTHCOM has component commands

to support their mission. Army, Air Force and Marine Corps components are assigned to

NORTHCOM while the Navy’s Fleet Forces Command is a supporting component. Its

forces don’t report directly to NORTHCOM unless assigned by U.S. Joint Forces

Command (JFCOM).5 This relationship with JFCOM is how most NORTHCOM forces

are allocated to execute specific missions. Joint Task Forces (JTF) provide an

organizational skeleton for gained component forces to fill in based on the missions