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Operations, Plans, Logistics and Engineering Directorate (J3/4)

Command deploys troops in support of disaster relief operations

U.S. Joint Forces Command sent troops and equipment to support potential disaster relief operations in North Dakota.

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By MC2 (AW) Nikki Carter
USJFCOM Public Affairs

(NORFOLK, Va. April 2, 2009) -- U.S. Joint Forces Command's (USJFCOM) Operations, Plans, Logistics and Engineering Directorate (J3/4) sent approximately 75 service members from the Army and six helicopters to Grand Forks, N.D., on Sunday at the request of U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) and defense support for civil authorities in support of potential disaster relief operations.

USJFCOM also placed an additional six Army and Navy helicopters in a rapid response posture if needed.

J3/4's Army Col. Joe Feliciano said North Dakota rivers rose more than 22 feet above the flood stage, causing alarm and the potential for a real disaster. The service members and helicopters were prepared to assist the Federal Emergency Management Agency with search and rescue operations, evacuee transport, and supply delivery.

"The [US]NORTHCOM commander requested USJFCOM place some capabilities that were needed on a 'prepare to deploy' status in support of the disaster response," Feliciano said. "If it was required, they could've flown to different sectors looking for people who were stranded and pull them off the roof if they could not evacuate themselves."

Feliciano said USJFCOM's role of primary conventional force provider has control of approximately 1.2 million service members to support a national response framework it established with USNORTHCOM and the Joint Staff. This framework provides military support during any natural disaster like floods, wildfires, hurricanes and tropical storms.

"Whenever there is something going on in the [continental U.S.] that threatens lives and needs DoD [Department of Defense] support, we are here standing by to provide them with what they need," he said.

The command also supports national special security events such as the Super Bowl or the recent Presidential inauguration.