Defense Threat Reduction Agency

DTRA, SCC-WMD and SJFHQ-E

Defense Threat Reduction Agency
Established in 1998, the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) provides the Department of Defense’s core intellectual, technical, and operational support expertise for countering threats posed by weapons of mass destruction (Chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear) and high-yield explosives.  As both a defense agency and a combat support agency, DTRA has a mission that spans:
       Nonproliferation (cooperative reduction and elimination of WMD, associated delivery systems, materials, and infrastructure at their source) – Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reductions and Arms Control Treaty Monitoring and Verification
       Counterproliferation (deterring and defeating WMD threats) – WMD detection, tracking, and interdiction; WMD agent defeat; hardened target defeat; and protection of people, systems, and infrastructure against WMD effects
       Consequence Management (Responding to WMD usage and mitigating the effects) – WMD effects prediction; Reachback support to decision makers and first responders; and advisory teams
       Countering WMD Planning Support – Support to DoD and joint CWMD policy; strategy, and doctrine development; expertise and support for DoD-wide CWMD planning; exercise support
       Support to a Safe, Secure and Effective U.S. Nuclear Deterrent – nuclear weapons accountability; nuclear weapons safety and security; inspections of nuclear capable units; and related training

U.S. Strategic Command Center for Combating WMD
In 2005, the Secretary of Defense assigned the Commander, U.S. Strategic Command (CDRUSSTRATCOM) responsibility for integrating and synchronizing DoD countering WMD (CWMD) efforts in support of U.S. Government objectives, and for advocating for CWMD mission needs.  The CDRUSSTRATCOM turned to DTRA for its CWMD expertise and established the U.S. Strategic Command Center for Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction (SCC-WMD) at DTRA’s Fort Belvoir location.  The Center advises combatant commanders on WMD-related matters, provides critical planning expertise and develops recommendations to reduce vulnerabilities and improve Department of Defense effectiveness in combating WMD.  There is a direct working relationship between combatant commanders responsible for the WMD missions and DTRA’s technical and operational mission expertise.  On Jan 31, 2006, the DTRA Director was also designated as the Director for the SCC-WMD.

Standing Joint Force Headquarters – Elimination
On February 3, 2012, the CDRUSSTRATCOM activated the Standing Joint Force Headquarters – Elimination (SJFHQ-E) to provide a command and control element for a Geographic Combatant Commander or Joint Task Force responsible for the elimination of WMD in hostile or uncertain conditions.  The SJFHQ-E is a military unit commanded by the SCC-WMD Deputy Director and, although co-located with DTRA and the SCC-WMD, reports directly to the CDRUSSTRATCOM.

DTRA and its USSTRATCOM partners employ over 2,000 members of the military and civilians that are making the world safer by reducing WMD threats every day.  For additional information, visit www.dtra.mil.