Ardent Sentry-Northern Edge 2007 has a big agenda, encompassing responses to everything from major natural disaster to a terrorist nuclear detonation and other assorted terrorists events. The US Northern Command sponsored exercise, running now through May 17, has scenarios that range from a hurricane in the New England area, to an improvised nuclear device explosion involving Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio, and multiple homeland defense events throughout Alaska. NORTHCOM has engaged local, state, and federal agencies and non-governmental organizations to participate.
The Space Force is playing a key role in planning for “Golden Dome,” President Donald Trump’s initiative for comprehensive air and missile defense of the homeland, leaders said this week. But actually building and fielding the ambitious idea will require a major concerted effort across the Pentagon and intelligence community.