Domestic Defense Enforced with Creation of Northern Command

U.S. Defense Ministry announced on the 17th that it changed the military`s command structure after some 10 years including the creation of Northern Command in order to deal with unconventional attacks from inside the country like Sept. 11 terror.

U.S. Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said as above at the press briefing, and added that headquarters would be placed at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado.

Northern Command begins its function from October 1st, and takes the charge of defending U.S. main land including U.S. territory, eastern and western coasts, and the territorial sky, which were under the charge of some Commands. Air Force Gen. Ralph Eberhart is likely to be nominated for the new commander of the Northern Command.

Among other changes, △European Command controls over the military relation with Russia along with Africa, Middle East, and Europe except for Far East, △Pacific Command, based in Hawaii, Asia-Pacific area, Antarctica, and Russian Far East, △Central Command in Tampa, Florida, the area from Egypt to Afghanistan, and △Southern Command in Miami, central and southern America and Caribbean Sea sector. 4 Commands of Aerospace, special force, strategic nuclear, and transportation will be retained.