The nation’s czar over defense against terrorist attacks and responses to natural disasters had her first peek Thursday at the nation’s nerve center for homeland defense.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano visited Northern Command and the North American Aerospace Defense Command headquarters at Peterson Air Force Base.

She and NORAD/NorthCom commander Gen. Gene Renuart held an 18-minute news conference during which they touched on several issues, including swine flu and security at Peterson.

Napolitano said the ties between her agency and NorthCom are enhanced by having DHS personnel stationed at Peterson and NorthCom personnel in Washington, D.C.

“That makes the relationship strong on an everyday basis,” she said.

Renuart spoke about security measures at Peterson, a controversy ever since NORAD moved there from the Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station in May 2008.

He said the Defense Threat Reduction Agency’s assessment calls for “prudent” but “not sweeping” changes he said would be done over the next 12 to 18 months.

Those changes, he said, will provide “the best capacity for the nation in the best location and have reliable backups to ensure contingency” operations. He stressed that back-up capability still exists inside the mountain.

Napolitano dismissed a question about her being among those President Barack Obama is considering to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice David Souter.

The former Arizona governor said she’s had “no contact” with the White House. “I’m focused on our mission” at the Homeland Security Department, she said.

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Dan Cleveland the director of TOPS (Trails and Open Space Coalition) in Red Rock Canyon park Thursday April 30th, 2009. Photo by KIRK SPEER/THE GAZETTE