An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | April 16, 2010

Northcom nominee pledges to focus on relationships

By Lisa Daniel American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, - Navy Vice Adm. James "Sandy" Winnefeld Jr. told a Senate committee today that if confirmed to head U.S. Northern Command and the North American Aerospace Defense Command, he will work to build and maintain the command's relationships he called critical to the mission.

"I've observed that there are no other combatant commands where support for their partners [is] more important than these two," Winnefeld told the Senate Armed Services Committee. "My assignments have prepared me for this task."

Winnefeld, President Barack Obama's nominee to head the commands, is a Navy fighter pilot and former commander of the U.S. 6th Fleet, USS Cleveland and USS Enterprise. He led the Enterprise through combat operations supporting operations in Afghanistan immediately after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States. Currently, he serves as a senior member of the U.S. delegation to the U.N. Military Staff Committee and as the director of strategic plans and policy on the Joint Staff.

The admiral said he would work to maintain the commands' strong working relationships with other U.S. federal agencies, Canada and Mexico. He also singled out the U.S. reserve components.

"Our nation's Guard and reserve have never been better, and I look forward to a strong personal relationship with them," he said. The deputy commander of Northcom and NORAD, Army Lt. Gen. H Steven Blum, is the former chief of the National Guard Bureau.

Winnefeld said Northcom's continued support along the U.S.-Mexico border would be one of his first priorities if the Senate confirms him for the post.

"I've been watching very closely, and, if confirmed, I will really burrow into it," he said to Arizona Sen. John McCain, who had asked him about support for Mexico in battling drug cartels. "I would welcome accompanying you down there. I very much want to get down there myself and see what's going on."

Winnefeld said he is concerned that the cartels, which are accused of 6,500 murders in Mexico last year and 2,000 so far this year, are threatening the Mexican government and U.S. national security, and that he agrees with U.S. support to Mexican President Felipe Calderon's government, which he said has exhibited "extremely good leadership and courage."

"It's a tremendous sign of our partnership with Mexico," he added, "and I'm honored to have the ability to work with them."

Michigan Sen. Carl Levin, chairman of the committee, asked Winnefeld whether Obama's revamped missile defense plan in Europe would make the United States safer from a potential long-range missile strike from Iran.

"It would provide a much earlier warning of an attack from Iran, and more time for the United States to counter a threat," the admiral said. "That's the most important part."

 

 

Related Articles
Cara Loken, Reserve component transition assistance adviser for the Nebraska National Guard and spouse of John Loken, commander of the 155th Maintenance Group, has been named the 2024 Air Force Association Air National Guard Spouse of the Year. The award recognizes the contributions of spouses of Air Force personnel across Active Duty, Guard and Reserve components.
Nebraska Woman is Air National Guard Spouse of the Year
By Senior Master Sgt. Shannon Nielsen, | Feb. 14, 2025
LINCOLN, Neb. - Cara Loken, reserve component transition assistance adviser for the Nebraska National Guard, has been named the 2024 Air Force Association Air National Guard Spouse of the Year.This prestigious Air Force...

The 129th Rescue Wing, California Air National Guard, marks the arrival of its new helicopter, a U.S. Air Force HH-60W Jolly Green II, Jan. 31, 2025, at Moffett Air National Guard Base near Mountain View, California. The wing is from HH-60G Pave Hawk model helicopters.
California Air Guard’s 129th Rescue Wing Upgrading Aircraft
By Senior Airman Serena Smith, | Feb. 14, 2025
MOFFETT AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Calif.- The U.S. Air Force 129th Rescue Wing is replacing the HH-60G Pave Hawk with six newer HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopters.The first two helicopters arrived this month and the wing plans...

The seven-Soldier team representing the 341st Military Intelligence Battalion (Linguist), 56th Theatre Information Operations Group, Washington National Guard, participates in the Voice Intercept Challenge during the seventh annual Best Linguist Competition Feb. 6, 2025, in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Washington National Guard won the  2024 300th Military Intelligence Brigade (Linguist) Command Language Program of the Year Award.
Washington Guard Linguists Excel at Best Linguist Competition
By Staff Sgt. Kelly Wiebe, | Feb. 14, 2025
SALT LAKE CITY - Seven Soldiers with the 341st Military Intelligence Battalion (Linguist), 56th Theatre Information Operations Group, Washington National Guard, competed in the seventh annual Best Linguist Competition Feb...