Directed by the Strategic Planning Guidance (March 2004), this Strategy for Homeland Defense and Civil Support focuses on achieving the Defense Department's paramount goal: securing the United States from direct attack. The Strategy is rooted in Respect for America's constitutional principles, Adherence to Presidential and Secretary of Defense guidance, Recognition of terrorist and state-based threats to the United States, and Commitment to continue transformation of U.S. military capabilities. Protecting the United States in the 10-year time frame covered by this Strategy requires an active, layered defense that is global, seamlessly integrating U.S. capabilities in the forward regions of the world, the global commons of space and cyberspace, in the geographic approaches to U.S. territory, and within the United States. It is a defense in depth. To be effective, it requires superior intelligence collection, fusion, and analysis, calculated deterrence of enemies, a layered system of mutually supporting defensive measures that are neither passive nor ad hoc, and the capability to mass and focus sufficient warfighting assets to defeat any attack. This active, layered defense employs tactical defenses in a strategic offense. It maximizes threat awareness and seizes the initiative from those who would harm us. In so doing, it intends to defeat potential challengers before they threaten the United States at home. Within the lead, support, and enable framework for homeland defense and civil support, DoD is focused on the following paramount objectives: Achieve maximum awareness of potential threats; Deter, intercept and defeat threats at a safe distance; Achieve mission assurance; Support civil authorities in minimizing the damage and recovering from domestic chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or high-yield explosive (CBRNE) mass casualty attacks; and Improve national and international capabilities for homeland defense and homeland security.


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