Partnerships within the NCR

  • Published
  • AIR FORCE DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON

Maj. Gen. James A. Jacobson, commander of the Air Force District of Washington, AFDW, at Joint Base Andrews, Md., met with Maj. Gen. Michael L. Howard, commanding general, Joint Force Headquarters - National Capital Region and U.S. Army Military District of Washington, on Aug., 14, 2017, at Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington D.C., to discuss the agencies’ partnership.

While AFDW is responsible for organizing, training and equipping Air Force combat forces for aerospace expeditionary forces, homeland operations, civil support, national special security events and ceremonial events, the Army's JFHQ-NCR plans, partners, maintains situational awareness, and as directed, employs forces as a Joint Task Force conducting homeland defense and civil support operations to defend and secure the National Capital Region.

JFHQ-NCR's area of responsible includes the District of Columbia and neighboring counties and cities of Maryland and Virginia. JFHQ-NCR draws together the existing resources of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and NORAD into a single point headquarters for planning, coordination and execution of the mission in the National Capital Region.

The National Capital Region is the political and military center of gravity of the U.S. with an infrastructure vital to the global interests of the nation. Many federal, state and local agencies are located here, in addition to a large number of foreign embassies and other international organizations toward which the U.S. has security responsibilities. JFHQ-NCR supports U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) in the timely execution of its mission by coordinating all operational military service elements at the seat of government.

Partnerships like these ensures the organizations are prepared to respond cooperatively with other federal agencies or civilian authorities should they be called on for homeland defense or civil support needs.