Joint Task Force Civil Support (JTF-CS) is part of U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM), the combatant command charged with providing command and control of Department of Defense (DOD) homeland defense efforts and coordination of defense support of civil authorities.
JTF-CS plans and integrates DOD support for domestic chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or high-yield explosive (CBRNE) consequence management operations. When required, JTF-CS deploys to domestic incident sites and executes command and control of designated DOD forces, providing support to civil authorities to save lives, prevent injury and provide temporary critical life support.
Some typical JTF-CS tasks include incident site support, casualty medical assistance and treatment, displaced populace support, mortuary affairs support, logistics support, and air operations.
In most instances, JTF-CS and its designated forces are deployed only after a state or territorial governor requests federal assistance from the president.
The task force consists of active, Guard and Reserve military members drawn from all service branches, as well as civilian personnel, who are commanded by a federalized (Title X) National Guard general officer.
