NORAD: North American Aerospace Defense Command

1.0 Introduction

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) is a joint military command of the United States and Canada responsible for aerospace warning, aerospace control, and maritime warning in the defense of North America. NORAD provides early warning of potential threats, controls North American airspace, issues maritime warnings, ensures air sovereignty, and offers integrated tactical warning and attack assessment. Also, NORAD supports civil authorities during emergencies and disaster response. 

NORAD’s headquarters are co-located with the United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Additionally, there is a secondary command centre at the Cheyenne Mountain Complex. Operating as a binational command, NORAD collaborates closely with the American and Canadian governments to maintain the defence and security of the continent.

2.0 History, Motto, Symbols, and Patches:

NORAD was established on May 12, 1958. The command was born out of the need for collaborative defence measures between the United States and Canada to safeguard against Soviet aerial threats, particularly nuclear bombers. The organization played a crucial role in monitoring North American airspace, providing early warning systems, and coordinating military responses. 

In 1981, NORAD’s mission expanded to include aerospace warning, air sovereignty, and protection for both Canada and the continental United States. NORAD also underwent a name change from the North American Air Defense Command to the North American Aerospace Defense Command, reflecting its expanded responsibilities beyond traditional air defence. 

The end of the Cold War altered the nature of aerial threats to North America, leading NORAD to redefine its mission. Today, NORAD continues to play a vital role in aerospace defence, with a focus on monitoring and responding to a wide range of potential threats in collaboration with various military branches and other government agencies. The organization’s legacy lies in its commitment to the security and sovereignty of North American airspace. [source]

2.1 Motto:

“We have the watch” is the motto of NORAD. The phrase is rooted in maritime tradition and reflects the continuous vigilance and readiness of NORAD to monitor and defend the airspace and maritime approaches to North America. It also signifies the command’s commitment to constant vigilance in monitoring the airspace and maritime boundaries of North America against potential threats. It emphasizes that NORAD is always on duty, ready to detect, assess, and respond to any unauthorized or potentially hostile activity. [source]

2.2 Symbols:

The primary symbols associated with NORAD include an emblem featuring a stylized globe with lines of latitude and longitude, representing the command’s global scope. The emblem also incorporates a polar bear, symbolizing the Arctic region, and an eagle, representing North America.

Globe: The globe in the NORAD emblem represents the global reach and scope of NORAD’s mission. It signifies the command’s responsibility for monitoring and defending the airspace and maritime approaches not only to North America but also from a global perspective.

Lines of Latitude and Longitude: The lines on the globe denote the grid of latitude and longitude, emphasizing the precision and accuracy of NORAD’s surveillance and tracking capabilities. 

Eagle Wings: The eagle is a symbol of strength, vigilance, and authority. In the NORAD logo, the eagle represents North America, emphasizing the command’s role in protecting the continent from potential threats.

2.3 Patches

3.0 Organization:

NORAD is commanded by General Glen D. VanHerck, a four-star general from the USAF. Assisting him as Deputy Commander is Lieutenant-General Alain Pelletier from the Royal Canadian Air Force. Additionally, Major General Allan US Army serves as the Chief of Staff. Finally, the Command Senior Enlisted Leader role is held by SgtMaj James K. Porterfield of the USMC. Together, this leadership team oversees the operations and responsibilities of NORAD. [source]

3.1 Place within broader governments

Established as a binational command, NORAD operates at the intersection of both American and Canadian defence establishments. It is intricately connected with the U.S. Department of Defense and the Canadian Department of National Defence. Also, NORAD collaborates with various military and civilian entities, reinforcing its integral role in the broader North American defence framework. [source]

NORAD has administratively divided the North American landmass into three regions:

Alaska NORAD (ANR) Region – Eleventh Air Force (11 AF)

Canadian NORAD (CANR) Region – 1 Canadian Air Division (1 Cdn Air Div)

Continental U.S. (CONR) Region – First Air Force (1 AF/CONR-AFNORTH)

The CONR and CANR regions are divided into eastern and western sectors.

3.2 Financing:

NORAD’s funding comes from the defence budgets of both the United States and Canada. Each country shares the financial responsibility for the command’s operations. From the US Defense Budget, NORAD receives part of the $679.3 million towards exercise and engagement that “will stress global integration of the force across multiple levels of command and control in the conduct of Joint All Domain Operations.” [source] Additionally, Canada will spend $4.9 billion over the next six years to modernize continental defence. [source]

3.4 Recruitment

NORAD selects personnel from the armed forces of both the United States and Canada. The recruitment processes align with the military standards of each respective country, ensuring that individuals entering NORAD meet the specialized qualifications and training required for aerospace and maritime defence. Prospective members undergo a thorough evaluation of their skills, experience, and commitment to meeting the unique demands of NORAD’s mission

3.6 Connections to other important organizations:

NORAD collaborates closely with various military and civilian organizations, including the U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM), Canadian Joint Operations Command, and other allied commands. They also closely collaborate with civilian authorities such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and NAV Canada. This coordination ensures effective communication and a unified response to potential threats. [source]

3.7 Involvement of other key organizations/actors in this unit:

NORAD works closely with its allies in NATO. In August 2021, Major General Karsten Stoye (German Air Force, Chief of Staff of NATO Allied Air Command at Ramstein Air Base) visited NORAD to meet with Lieutenant-General Alain Pelletier. The meeting reaffirmed NORAD’s commitment to working with its allies in Europe. [source]

4.0 Bases:

4.1 Alaskan NORAD Region (ANR)

• Headquarters: Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska
• Purpose: The ANR provides an ongoing capability to detect, validate and warn of any aircraft and/or cruise missile threat in areas that threaten North American security. The bilateral forces provide assistance to the 611th Air Operations Center

• Provided Support:
  • 11th Air Force and Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), and some reserve forces provided by the Alaska Air National Guard. 
  • 176th Air Defense Squadron 
  • Pacific Air Forces
  • 673rd Air Base Wing
  • 381st Intelligence Squadron
  • 176th Wing
• Aircraft:
  • F-22 Raptor
  • E-3 Sentry
  • C-17 Globemaster III
  • C-12F Huron
  • C-130
  • UH 60 A/I Black Hawk
  • HH 60 Pave Hawk [source]

4.2 Canadian Norad Region (CANR)

• Headquarters: CFB, Winnipeg, Manitoba
• Purpose: Tasked with defending Canadian airspace, including identifying and tracking all aircraft that enter Canadian airspace. 
• Provided Support:
  • 1 Canadian Air Division
  • 17 Wing Winnipeg
  • 401 “City of Winnipeg” Squadron
• Aircraft:
  • CANR CF-18 Hornet fighter aircraft

4.3 Continental US NORAD Region (CONR)

• Headquarters:
  • 1st Air Force at Tyndall AFB, Florida
  • McChord AFB, Washington state
  • Eastern Air Defense Sector in Rome, New York
• Purpose: Provides airspace surveillance and control and directs the air sovereignty activities of the continental United States.
• Provided support:
  • 263rd Army Air and Missile Defense Command
  • USNORTHCOM
  • Eastern Air Defense Sector
  • Western Air Defense Sector
  • 601st Air Operations Center
  • Air Forces Northern National Security Emergency Preparedness Agency 
• Aircrafts:
  • F-15 Eagle

F-16 Fighting Falcon [source]

5.0 Tactical-Operational Information:

5.1 Operations:

Operation NOBLE EAGLE:

Operation NOBLE EAGLE is the overarching name for all North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) missions focused on aerospace warning, control, and defence in North America. It was designated in response to 9/11, marking a shift in NORAD’s mission from primarily looking outward to addressing threats originating within the U.S. and Canada. Through Operation NOBLE EAGLE, NORAD deters, detects, and defeats potential threats to North American airspace. Operation NOBLE EAGLE operates around the clock, deterring, detecting, and denying potential threats to the airspace of the U.S. and Canada, providing a 360-degree defence of North America. [source]

VIGILANT SHIELD:

VIGILANT SHIELD is an annual homeland defence exercise focused on defending North America from attack.  This exercise focuses on ensuring that NORAD, USNORTHCOM, and other CCMDs, can support the Department’s ability to execute integrated deterrence by implementing a globally integrated defense of North America.  The key task is to ensure the resiliency of the Joint Forces if the Homelands were under attack. 

Santa Tracker:

On December 24, 1955, as a festive gesture, NORAD’s forerunner, the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD), shared that they were monitoring Santa Claus’s sleigh. They declared, “CONAD, Army, Navy, and Marine Air Forces will continue to track and guard Santa and his sleigh on his trip to and from the U.S. against possible attack from those who do not believe in Christmas.” This announcement gave rise to a Christmas Eve tradition known as the “NORAD Tracks Santa” program. Each Christmas Eve, the program claims to follow Santa Claus’s journey from the North Pole to deliver gifts to children worldwide. [source]

5.2 Core purpose:

The core purpose of NORAD is to safeguard the airspace and maritime approaches to North America, ensuring the defence and security of the continent.

5.3 Tactics:

• Aerospace Surveillance and Control: NORAD maintains a network of sensors, including radar systems, to detect airborne objects approaching North America. This information is used to track and identify potential threats.
• Alert Fighters: NORAD keeps a fleet of alert fighter aircraft ready to scramble at a moment’s notice. These fighters can intercept and identify approaching aircraft, responding to potential threats.
• Tankers and Airborne Early Warning Aircraft: NORAD utilizes tankers and airborne early warning aircraft to support and extend the range of its fighter aircraft, enhancing the overall effectiveness of the air defence system.
• Rotary Wing Air Interceptors: In addition to fixed-wing fighter aircraft, NORAD may employ rotary-wing (helicopter) interceptors for specific mission requirements.
• Ground-Based Air Defense Assets: NORAD coordinates ground-based air defence assets, which can include missile defence systems and other technologies designed to defend against airborne threats.
• Enforcement of Air Defense Identification Zones (ADIZ): NORAD manages ADIZ, which are designated stretches of international airspace requiring the identification of all aircraft for national security. This involves monitoring, tracking, and responding to aircraft entering these zones.
• Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) Enforcement: NORAD works in tandem with the FAA and NAV Canada to enforce TFRs. This involves responding to aircraft that enter restricted areas without proper authorization, using communication and, if necessary, employing interceptors to gain compliance.

Guidance and Instructions: NORAD aims to resolve potential threats peacefully whenever possible. In cases of airspace violations, efforts may include guiding the violating aircraft out of restricted areas or instructing them to land at a suitable airfield.

6.0 The future of NORAD:

On February 10, Canadian Defence Minister Anita Anand and US Defence Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III jointly announced new developments in bilateral defence cooperation during a meeting held at the Pentagon. The discussions encompassed a broad spectrum of defence and security issues, with a particular focus on advancing the modernization of NORAD and collaborative investments in maintaining “modern, ready, and capable forces.” 

Modernisation efforts gained more significance after a reported incursion by a suspected Chinese intelligence-gathering balloon into US airspace in late January and early February. US fighter jets, in close coordination with Canada through NORAD, successfully intercepted and downed the balloon on February 4. After this, NORAD confirmed the detection of additional ‘high-altitude airborne objects’ above Alaska on February 11 and over Lake Huron, Michigan, on February 12. These recent incidents underscore the ongoing commitment to bolstering joint defence capabilities and addressing emerging security challenges. [source]

7.0 Conclusion:

NORAD plays a crucial role in ensuring the security and defence of North America. Its binational nature and focus on aerospace and maritime defence make it a key component of the broader military capabilities of the United States and Canada. Continued vigilance, collaboration, and adaptation are essential for NORAD to fulfil its mission effectively. Increasing tensions between Russia and China over the Arctic will continue to be prioritized by US and Canadian militaries.