A Brief History of NORAD

A Brief History of

NORAD

As of 31 December 2013

North American Aerospace Defense Command

Office of History

General Charles H. Jacoby, Jr.

Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command

3 August 2011 - Present

Table of Contents

Title Page ......................................................................................................................... 1

Table of Contents ............................................................................................................. 3

History of the North American Aerospace Defense Command ....................................... 4

Key Historical Events .................................................................................................... 12

Lineage and Honors ....................................................................................................... 34

NORAD Emblem ........................................................................................................... 35

Commanders .................................................................................................................. 36

Deputy Commanders ...................................................................................................... 37

Headquarters Locations .................................................................................................. 38

Area of Operations ......................................................................................................... 39

NORAD Aircraft ............................................................................................................ 40

Associated Units ............................................................................................................. 41

History of the North American Aerospace Defense Command

Constructing a North American Air Defense

With the beginning of the Cold War, American defense experts and political leaders

began planning and implementing a defensive air shield, which they believed was necessary to

defend against a possible attack by long-range, manned Soviet bombers. By the time of its

creation in 1947, as a separate service, it was widely acknowledged the Air Force would be the

center point of this defensive effort. Under the auspices of the Air Defense Command (ADC),

first created in 1948, and reconstituted in 1951 at Ent AFB, Colorado, subordinate Air Force

commands were given responsibility to protect the various regions of the United States. By 1954,

as concerns about Soviet capabilities became more grave, a multi-service unified command was

created, involving Naval, Army, and Air Force units—the Continental Air Defense Command

(CONAD). Air Force leaders, most notably Generals Benjamin Chidlaw and Earle Partridge,

guided the planning and programs during the mid 1950s. The Air Force provided the interceptor

aircraft and planned the upgrades needed over the years. The Air Force also developed and

operated the extensive early warning radar sites and systems which acted as “trip wire” against

air attack. The advance warning systems and communication requirements to provide the alert

time needed, as well as command and control of forces, became primarily an Air Force

contribution, a trend which continued into the future as the nation’s aerospace defense matured.

Headquarters, North American Defense Command,

Ent AFB, Colorado Springs, CO.

As Air Force leaders developed plans and proposed warning system programs, they

became convinced of the logical need for extended cooperation with America’s continental

neighbor, Canada. US-Canada defense relationships extended back to World War II when the

two nation’s leaders formally agreed on military cooperation as early as 1940, the Ogdensburg

Declaration. These ties were renewed in the late 1940s with further sharing of defense plans in

light of increasing Soviet military capabilities and a growing trend of unstable international

events, such as the emergence of a divided Europe and the Korean War.

North American air defense systems in mid-1960s.

Defense agreements between Canada and the United Stated in the early 1950s centered

on the building of radar networks across the territory of Canada—the Mid- Canada Line (also

known as the McGill Fence), the Pinetree Line, and the famous Dew Line. This cooperation led

to a natural extension of talks regarding the possible integration and execution of air defense

plans. The RCAF and USAF exchanged liaison officers and met at key conferences to discuss

the potential of a shared air defense organization. By 1957, the details had been worked out and

the top defense officials in each nation approved the formation of the North American Air

Defense Command, which was stood up on 12 September at Ent AFB, in Colorado Springs,

Colorado, home of the US Continental Air Defense Command and its subordinates, including

USAF Air Defense Command. General Earl Partridge, USAF, who was both the ADC and

CONAD Commander, also became commander of NORAD, and the senior Canadian RCAF

official, Air Marshal Roy Slemon, who had been the key Canadian delegate in most of the

cooperation talks, became deputy commander, NORAD. Nine months after operational

establishment of the command, on 12 May 1958, the two nations announced they had formalized

the cooperative air defense arrangements as a government-to-government bilateral defense

agreement that became known as the NORAD Agreement. The NORAD Agreement and its

associated terms of reference provided the political connections which would make possible the

longevity of the Canadian-US aerospace defense relationship into the future years. The NORAD

Agreement, with its requirement for periodic review, ensured a flexibility to adapt to a changing

defense environment as would be evident by the events that would soon face the fledgling

command.

The Evolving Threat

Within one year of its establishment, NORAD began the process of adapting its missions

and functions to “a new and more dangerous threat.” During the 1960s and 1970s, the USSR

focused on creating intercontinental and sea-launched ballistic missiles and developed an anti-

satellite capability. The northern radar-warning networks could, as one observer expressed it, “. .

. not only [be] outflanked but literally jumped over.” In response, the USAF built a space-

surveillance and missile-warning system to provide worldwide space detection and tracking and

to classify activity and objects in space. When these systems became operational during the early

1960s, they came under the control of the NORAD.

Canadian CF-101 Voodoo intercepts Russian TU-95 Bear Bomber

flying near the North American airspace buffer zone.

Throughout the 1970s, the ballistic missile threat caused policy makers to reassess the

effectiveness of the air defense system. This meant the potential demise of the arguments for

enhanced traditional air defense and moved NORAD to focus on such challenges as improved

warning of missile and space attack, defense against the ICBM, and greater protection and

survival of command, control and communication networks and centers. This resulted in a

reduction of the USAF interceptor forces and closure of various portions of the radar network.

Modernization of air defense forces became a hard argument. As a result of changes in US

strategic policy, which had come to accept the concept of mutual vulnerability to ICBM attack,

the need to spend about $1 billion a year on air defense was challenged. In 1974, Secretary of

Defense Schlesinger stated the primary mission of air defense was to ensure sovereignty of air

space during peacetime. There followed further reductions in the size and capability of the air

defense system. By the late 1970s, the remaining components—some 300 interceptors, 100

radars and eight control centers—had become obsolescent and uneconomical to operate.

Over the years, the evolving threat caused NORAD to expand its mission to include

tactical warning and assessment of possible air, missile, or space attacks on North America. The

1975 NORAD Agreement acknowledged these extensions of the command's mission.

Consequently, the 1981 NORAD Agreement changed the command's name from the North

American “Air” Defense Command to the North American “Aerospace” Defense Command.

The 1980s brought important improvements for the aerospace defense mission. Again,

NORAD demonstrated an adaptability to meet these changes. In 1979, the US Congress ordered

the USAF to create an air defense master plan (ADMP). The ADMP, modified and upgraded,

became the US administration's outline for air defense modernization and the foundation for

NORAD cost-sharing discussions between Canada and the United States. The modernization

accords signed in 1985 called for the replacement of the DEW Line radar system with an

improved arctic radar line called the North Warning System (NWS); the deployment of Over-

the-Horizon Backscatter radar; greater use of USAF Airborne Warning and Control System

(AWACS) aircraft; and the assignment of newer USAF aircraft, specifically F-15s, F-16s, and

CF-18s, to NORAD.

The late 1980s witnessed another expansion of the NORAD mission. On 29 September

1988, President Reagan signed legislation that involved the US Department of Defense, and

specifically NORAD, in the campaign against drug trafficking. The command’s role in this

mission was to detect and track aircraft transporting drugs and then report them to law

enforcement. Usually, suspect aircraft were light general-aviation planes crossing into the United

States and Canada without having filed flight plans, or private aircraft that had filed plans but

then deviated from their route to drop off drug shipments. In this effort, NORAD worked with

law enforcement and appropriate unified commands. Specifically, the command began

surveillance of aircraft flying at all speeds. NORAD also had a role in selecting radars, tethered

and mobile, which would be used to close gaps in low-altitude coverage along the southern tier

of the United States.

After the Cold War

Like the US Department of Defense as a whole, the end of the Cold War resulted in

major changes for NORAD. In 1992, the command completed a “NORAD Strategy Review”

study, which documented the wide-ranging changes in the security environment since the close

of the Cold War. The report noted the need for air sovereignty, warning, and assessment, as well

as the potential need to better integrate a ballistic missile defense mission. In short, the report

provided a baseline for the command’s continued existence. While the Soviet threat abated, not

all traditional aerospace threats went away. Although the USSR no longer existed, its successor

states still had air-launched and submarine-launched cruise missiles. In addition, NORAD

planners envisioned terrorists possibly using cruise missiles or similar weapons. Capable of

flying over long distances and avoiding radar coverage, the missiles posed a significant threat to

North America. Neither Canada nor the United States had a reliable system to prevent a

concerted or isolated cruise-missile strike on the continent. NORAD plans called for enhanced

ground-based radar and USAF AWACS aircraft to detect the missiles, and air defense fighters

would attack the threat with air-to-air missiles. Other improvements in space surveillance were

advocated to improve capabilities.

Canada and the United States showed their confidence in the viability of the command

through renewals of the NORAD Agreement in 1991, 1996, and 2000. The 1996 renewal was

especially significant because it redefined the command’s mission as aerospace warning and

aerospace control for North America. The document included a consultative mechanism for

issues of aerospace-defense cooperation and a provision for the review and management of

environmental practices related to NORAD operations.

NORAD since 9/11: Response and Transformation

On 11 September 2001, terrorists hijacked four passenger airliners, two of which

obliterated the World Trade Center, in New York City, while another shattered part of the

Pentagon. One of the four aircraft crashed in Pennsylvania before hitting its target, apparently

either the US Capitol or the White House. The event made it clear that attacks on the homeland

would not necessarily come only from across the poles and oceans which buffered the North

American continent.

In the immediate aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, NORAD began Operation Noble Eagle.

The purpose of this still-ongoing air patrol mission was to defend the United States against

terrorist aggression originating from either within or outside the nation’s air borders. Noble

Eagle missions were executed primarily by the USAF First Air Force, a NORAD unit under the

command of the Continental NORAD Region (CONR), located at Tyndall Air Force Base, in

Florida. By June 2006, NORAD had responded to more than 2,100 potential airborne threats in

the continental United States, Canada, and Alaska, as well as flying more than 42,000 sorties

with the support of USAF AWACS and air-to-air refueling aircraft.

NORAD F-16 aircraft flies over the Pentagon in NOBLE EAGLE

mission defending the homeland after 9/11.

Operation Noble Eagle response has become institutionalized into daily plans and

NORAD exercises through which the command ensures its capability to respond rapidly to

airborne threats. USAF units of NORAD have also assumed the mission of the integrated air

defense of the National Capital Region, providing ongoing protection for Washington, D.C.

Also, as required, NORAD forces have played a critical role in air defense support for National

Special Security Events, such as air protection for the NASA shuttle launches, G8 summit

meetings, and even Superbowl football events.

In recognition of the changing threat environment of the post-9/11 world, the United

States Department of Defense stood up, in October 2002, U.S. Northern Command as a joint

service command to execute the mission of homeland defense across all domains. With NORAD

already executing the air defense mission of North America, it was a logical step to co-locate the

headquarters of NORAD and USNORTHCOM in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and to retain a

dual-hatted commander relationship between NORAD and a the new US joint command. As

expected, the relationship opened doors toward greater military cooperation and expanding

defense agreements for North America. Soon after the standup of USNORTHCOM, Canada and

the United States, created a Bi-National Planning Group, tied closely to the new NORAD-

USNORTHCOM relationship. The two commands provided personnel and a home for the study

group at their headquarters for a four-year period. The Bi-National Planning Group worked on

multiple proposals for creating wider cooperation of U.S. and Canadian military plans and

protocols. One concept, that of developing plans and programs for greater maritime warning,

was considered sufficiently important that the 2006 renewal of the NORAD Agreement officially

added the maritime-warning mission to NORAD’s existing missions.

Cheyenne Mountain entrance, c. 1990s

Another example of NORAD’s continuing adaptability also came in 2006. In NORAD’s

fifty-year history, perhaps the most notable symbol of the command has been the Cheyenne

Mountain Operations Center (CMOC), often referred to as simply “Cheyenne Mountain.” This

vast bunker complex, which became fully operational in 1966, sat more than 1500 feet

underground and consisted of fifteen buildings which comprised the central collection and

coordination facility for NORAD’s global-sensor systems. In early 2006, after studies and

reviews, the NORAD and USNORTHCOM commander, decided, because of the changing

nature of the threat in a post-9/11 world and because of gained efficiencies in monitoring the

warning networks, the CMOC surveillance and warning of attack command centers could be

relocated into a dual- purpose command center located at NORAD and USNORTHCOM

headquarters on Peterson AFB. Cheyenne Mountain would become an alternate command

center rather than be maintained on a 24/7 basis. The NORAD and USNORTHCOM Command

Center at Peterson would become the official surveillance center for both commands, designed to

give the commander and the Canadian and US leadership an accurate picture of any aerospace

and other domain homeland threat.

As NORAD reached its fiftieth year, most believed the command was on sound footing.

The 2006 NORAD Agreement renewal expanded the mission to include a non-aerospace

responsibility—maritime warning—and removed the normal practice of a five-year expiration

date for the agreement. Instead, the two nations would merely review the nature of the accord for

potential changes. In 2008 the command celebrated its fiftieth anniversary, unveiling the new

NORAD and USNORTHCOM Command Center (N2C2). In a stellar example of governmental,

military, and law enforcement cooperation, NORAD provided air security assistance to the

Government of Canada for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. American and Canadian

defense and political leaders have therefore maintained the conviction that, for the foreseeable

future, their common defense was best guaranteed by continued mutual cooperation.

The NORAD and USNORTHCOM Command Center, May 2008.

In 2011 NORAD reaffirmed its historic mission, adapting a vision:

With our trusted partners, we will defend North America by outpacing all threats,

maintaining faith with our people and supporting

them in their times of greatest need.

“WE HAVE THE WATCH”

2011 and 2012 saw the mutual cooperation continue in the form of numerous exercises

and real world events. In October of 2012 the NORAD and USNORTHCOM headquarters

building at Peterson Air Force Base was renamed the Eberhart-Findley Building in honor of U.S.

Air Force General (Ret.) Ralph E. Eberhart and Royal Canadian Air Force Lieutenant-General

(Ret.) Eric A. Findley. This is the first time the name of a U.S. military combatant command

headquarters included a Canadian military officer’s name. In December Army Gen. Charles

Jacoby, Jr., commander of NORAD and U.S. Northern Command, and Lt.-Gen. Stuart Beare,

Canadian Joint Operations Command commander, signed the Tri Command Framework for

Arctic Cooperation and the Tri-Command Training and Exercise Statement of Intent – during the

230th meeting of the Canada-U.S. Permanent Joint Board on Defense in Colorado Springs, Colo

continuing the mutually beneficial relationship of defense to the homeland.

2013 saw the command looking to the future and at the same time responding to decades

old threats made new. The concept of “NORAD Next” began to emerge as a way to ensure the

command could meet and outpace emerging threats in all domains.. The current NORAD

agreement stated that the command needed to “continue to adapt to future shared security

interests to ensure that heir respective and mutual defense requirements are met in the current

and projected geostrategic circumstances.” NORAD Next became the overarching construct to

promote the modernization efforts inside the command towards 2025-2030. At the same time,

NORAD launched fighters, AWACS, and tankers from the Alaskan and Canadian NORAD

Regions in response to a renewed Russian Long-Range Aviation. These sorties, as in the past,

were not identified on international flight plans and penetrated the North American Air Defense

Identification Zone. Detect and intercept operations demonstrated the ability and intent to

defend the northern reaches of the homeland and contributed to the strategic deterrence of

aerospace threats to the homeland.

NORAD Key Historical Events

18 Aug 1940

President Franklin Roosevelt and Prime Minister Mackenzie King issued the

declaration that voiced the concept of US-Canadian joint defense and sanctioned the

establishment of the Permanent Joint Board on Defense (PJBD) to conduct

necessary analysis and consultations. This would be known as the "Ogdensburg

Declaration."

21 Dec 1945 Alaskan Air Command (AAC) was activated.

21 Mar 1946

Army Air Forces Air Defense Command (ADC) constituted at Mitchel Field, New

York. The command was activated on 27 Mar 1946. Two bases, Mitchel Field and

Hamilton Field, California, also assigned to ADC.

26 Mar 1946

The United States Army Air Forces activates the Air Defense Command at Mitchel

Field, New York.

10 Jun 1946

The Air Defense Command mission expanded to the extent that ADC was required

to coordinate within the US the means available from other services for air defense,

such as Naval and Marine aircraft units temporarily shore-based.

1 Jan 1947

Alaskan Command (ALCOM) was activated as a unified command. Alaskan Air

Command was designated to carry out ALCOM's air defense mission.

12 Feb 1947

The United States and Canadian governments issued a "Joint Statement on Defense

Collaboration" emphasizing the continuing importance of cooperative defense

planning and ongoing efforts. Among these proposed were an interchange of

military personnel; the adoption of common designs and standards in arms,

equipment, and organization, where practical; and cooperation and exchange of

observers on exercises.

13 Nov 1947

US Secretary of Defense announced planning for a nationwide early warning

system.

17 Dec 1947

The United States Air Force (USAF), established on 18 September, granted ADC

authority to use fighter and radar forces of the Strategic Air Command, Tactical Air

Command, and Air National Guard in an emergency. The Air National Guard

constituted the major source of air defense units.

21 Apr 1948

Secretary of Defense James V. Forrestal assigned the USAF the primary

responsibility for the air defense of the United States.

23 Apr 1948

Air Defense Command directed to establish radar systems in the Northeastern and

Northwestern United States, and in New Mexico.

1 Dec 1948

Continental Air Command (CONAC) created and given air defense mission. ADC

remained an "operational" command, but all air defense units were assigned to

CONAC. TAC also placed under CONAC to provided additional fighter strength

for air defense.

26 Apr 1949

The U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) approved the Canada-U.S. Emergency Defense

Plan submitted by the Canada-U.S. Military Cooperation Committee. The Canadian

Chiefs of Staff approved its several days later. The plan provided for the mutual

defense of Canada and the United States against the common enemy.

1-30 Jun 1949

The first air defense exercise of the postwar period (Operation Blackjack) took

place in the northeast United States.

Aug 1949 The Russians explode an atomic device.

1 Sep 1949 Eastern and Western Air Defense Forces Activated by ADC.

23 Sep 1949

President Truman publicly announced that in August the Russians had exploded an

atomic device.

30 Dec 1949

The Army Chief of Staff informed the JCS that he considered creation of a unified

command for the defense of the United States an urgent requirement, and he

recommended its rapid establishment.

1 Feb 1950

Headquarters USAF directed Continental Air Command to establish a civil air raid

warning system.

2 Mar 1950

Headquarters USAF stated a requirement to the JCS for 10 radar equipped picket

ships to be stationed off the east and west coasts of the United States.

May 1950

Provisional Headquarters, Albuquerque Air Defense Sector, established by Air

Defense Command at Kirtland AFB, New Mexico, to exercise operational control

over the radar and fighter forces defending the Los Alamos and Sandia areas.

27 Jun 1950

Continental Air Command and the Alaskan Air Command air defense systems in

the US and Alaska began 24-hour a day operations.

1 Jul 1950

The Air Defense Command was discontinued. The air defense mission remained

with Continental Air Command.

The Army Antiaircraft Command (ARAACOM) was established at the Pentagon

under Major General Willard W. Irvine.

1 Sep 1950

ARAACOM established the Eastern and Western Antiaircraft Commands. Central

ARAACOM was established in April 1951.

1 Oct 1950 Northeast Air Command (NEAC) established.

1 Jan 1951

Air Defense Command (ADC) was re-established as a major command at Mitchel

AFB, New York. The command moved to Ent AFB, Colorado beginning 8 January

1951. ADC inherited 21 fighter squadrons from CONAC and 37 ANG fighter

squadrons assigned an M-Day air defense mission. It was also assigned four Air

Divisions (Defense).

6 Feb 1951

Canada-U.S. Radar Extension Plan (Pinetree) was approved by US-Candians

Permanent Joint Board of Defense (PJBD).

16 Feb 1951

The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) approved the PJBD recommendation (51/1) for an

extension of the Permanent Radar Net. It called for the extension and consolidation

of the present control and warning system of Canada and the US into one

operational system to meet air defense needs for both countries.

21 Apr 1951

Air Defense Command and Tactical Air Command signed an agreement whereby

TAC committed all units possessing air defense capability (including fighters, radar

equipment, and personnel) to ADC for use in an emergency. Similar agreements

were negotiated with Strategic Air Command, Air Training Command, and Air

Proving Ground Command.

28 Aug 1951

Army Antiaircraft Command (ARAACOM) conducted its first unilateral exercise.

Seventy-

five percent of its batteries occupied tactical positions for seven weeks. The

exercise was terminated on 18 October 1951.

10 Apr 1952

Air Defense Command (ADC) and Army Antiaircraft Command (ARAACOM)

drew up a mutual agreement for the air defense of the United States. Anti-aircraft

units were to pass to the operational control of appropriate USAF commanders

when deployed to tactical positions, but such control was to be exercised through

local ARAACOM commanders. Defended areas were to be determined by mutual

agreement between the Department of the Army and the United States Air Force.

ARAACOM's responsibilities were ascertaining ADC's anti-aircraft requirements

and attempting to fulfill them, preparing detailed plans, providing anti-aircraft

advisors, and prescribing conditions of readiness. ADC was responsible for all

identification, prescribing alerts, establishing gun-defended areas, and establishing

in coordination with ARAACOM the basic rules of engagement.

A NIKE surface-to-air missile destroyed a maneuvering drone B-17 at a range of 17

nautical miles and an altitude of 10,000 feet.

14 Jul 1952

Beginning of the U.S. Ground Observer Corps Operation SKYWATCH during

which civilian air defense observer posts were manned ‘round the clock.

Air Defense Command begins 24-hour Ground Observer Corps operations.

24-28 Jul 1952 First nationwide air defense exercise (Operation SIGNPOSE) was conducted.

10 Sep 1952

Cape Canaveral, Florida, was the scene of the first BOMARC, the only surface-to-

air missile (SAM) ever deployed by the United States Air Force, test launch.

25 Sep 1952 Navy picket ship placed on around-the-clock duty for first time off the East Coast.

12 Apr 1953 The Soviet Union exploded a thermonuclear device.

25 Sep 1953

President Eisenhower approved a statement calling for increased emphasis on

continental defense.

8 Oct 1953

The Canadian-US Military Study Group recommended the establishments of a line

of radars for early warning along the 55th parallel. (It would be called variously

Mid-Canada Line and McGill Fence.)

28 Oct 1953

A Nike missile was fired for the first time by a tactical unit, Battery A, 1st Guided

Missile Group, at Red Canyon, New Mexico.

6 Nov 1953

Canada agreed to the establishment of an early warning line between Alaska and

Newfoundland (Mid-Canada Line).

11 Jan 1954

Headquarters USAF approved the construction of five offshore radar platforms

called Texas Towers. (Only three -- numbers 2, 3, and 4 -- would be constructed.)

8 Apr 1954

The US and Canada issued a joint statement on continental defense which reviewed

defense cooperation since World War II, detailed efforts to construct the Pinetree

Line generally along the US-Canada border, and revealed an agreement to proceed

with the Mid-Canada Line.

15 May 1954

A concrete block Combat Operations Center (COC) became operational at Ent

AFB, Colorado.

2 Aug 1954

The JCS directed establishment of the Continental Air Defense Command

(CONAD) as a joint command.

1 Sep 1954

Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) was activated as a JCS joint

command at Ent AFB, Colorado. ADC was the USAF component command; Army

Air Defense Command was the Army component; and Naval Forces CONAD was

the Navy component (NAVFORCONAD), established at Ent AFB. CONAD forces

were committed to the contiguous radar coverage system and of augmentation

forces for all services made available during emergency periods.

5 May 1955

The United States reached agreement with Canada regarding establishment of DEW

Line stations on Canadian territory.

20 May 1955

The first Texas Tower radar platform, built by Bethlehem Steel, Quincy,

Massachusetts, was launched. In July 1955 it was towed to its permanent location in

Georges Shoal, 110 miles off Cape Cod.

30 Jul 1955 The first West Coast picket ship station manned on full time basis.

15 Jan 1956 Preliminary planning began for an underground Combat Operations Center (COC).

Gen. Earle E. Partridge, CINC Continental Air Defense Command, directed his staff

to begin preliminary planning for a Combat Operations Center to be located

underground. Partridge believed his present above ground center, located on Ent Air

Force Base, CO, was too small to manage the growing air defense system and was

highly vulnerable to sabotage or attack.

7 May 1956

Texas Tower 2 (the first to become operational) began limited operations with an

FPS-3A search radar and two FPS-6 height finder radars.

4 Sep 1956

The JCS published new terms of reference for CONAD. CINCONAD's authority

was strengthened and clarified to include centralized operational control of forces,

including assignments of individual anti-aircraft batteries and designated targets.

14 Sep 1956

Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) sent its preliminary requirements for

an underground Combat Operations Center to HQ USAF. The early design, based

on the Strategic Air Command headquarters model, proposed an above-ground

headquarters, a basement, and a three-story underground Combat Operations

Center.

19 Dec 1956

The JCS and Canadian Chiefs of Staff Committee received recommendation from

the US/Canada Military Study Group calling for operational integration of the two

nation's air defense forces.

Jan 1957

CONAD establishes functional and performance requirements for the Combat

Operations Center. Emphasis placed on survivability, self-sufficiency and system

redundancy.

Apr 1957

Secretary of Defense approved recommendations that the Air Force develop the

early warning system and communications, and that the Army carry out research

and development on local acquisition radar, target track radar, and the missile for

ICBM defense.

1 Apr 1957

Northeast Air Command (NEAC) was discontinued and ADC was assigned

operational control of the DEW Line.

15 Apr 1957

The Air Defense Command was assigned operational control of the Distant Early

Warning Line (DEW Line) and all atmospheric defense units of the inactivated

Northeast Air Command.

1 Jul 1957

The Atlantic DEW Line Sea Barrier (extension of the DEW Line), operated by the

Navy, became fully operational, with four picket ships and four airborne early

warning aircraft operated between Argentina, Newfoundland, and the Azores

Islands.

15 Jul 1957

The main DEW Line, from Cape Dyer, Bafflin Island, to Cape Lisburne, Alaska,

declared technically ready.

1 Aug 1957

Canada and the United States announced an agreement to establish integrated

operational control of the air defense forces of the two countries.

The East and West portions of the DEW Line placed under operational control of

the United States Air Force (USAF) Air Defense Command and Alaskan Air

Command, respectively.

12 Sep 1957

The North American Air Defense Command was established and activated at Ent

AFB, Colorado. This command is an international organization, taking operational

control of Canadian Air Defense Command air defense units and United States Air

Defense Command air defense units. The first NORAD Agreement was drafted.

CINCNORAD dual-hatted as Commander-in-Chief, CONAD, the US joint

command.

23 Oct 1957

A USAF BOMARC missile successfully intercepted and knocked down a B-17

drone at a distance of 100 miles over the Atlantic.

31 Oct 1957 All eight sections of the Mid-Canada Line reached a limited operational status.

1 Jan 1958 The Mid-Canada radar Line was declared fully operational.

15 Feb 1958

The Air Defense Command was given operational control and contract

administration of the DEW Line, except the Aleutian extension.

23 Apr 1958

CINCNORAD (Gen Partridge) told the Joint Chiefs of Staff that his Combat

Operations Center should be remote from other prime targets and hardened to

withstand a thermonuclear blast and continue to operate. He said a recent RAND

study determined the base location would be in the Colorado Springs area in a

granite mountain of the Rocky Mountain front range. General Partridge said this

was the best solution and could be done "at reasonable cost."

12 May 1958

The governments of Canada and the United States ratified and signed the initial

agreement sanctioning shared air defense command arrangements for all of North

America. The agreement included 11 principles governing the organization and

operation of NORAD and called for a renewal of the agreement in 10 years.

26 Jun 1958

The Semiautomatic Ground Environment (SAGE) System became operational for

the first time in the New York NORAD Sector direction center, McGuire AFB,

New Jersey.

1 Jul 1958

The Pacific radar sea barrier became fully operational. Four radar picket ships and

four airborne early warning and control aircraft patrolled from Midway to the

Kodiak Islands in Alaska.

31 Jul 1958

CINCNORAD (Gen. Partridge) recommended to the Joint Chiefs of Staff that a

hardened Combat Operations Center with an adjacent headquarters complex for

NORAD be constructed without delay in the Colorado Springs area.

15 Aug 1958

The first successful SAGE control of a BOMARC resulted in a direct hit on a QB-

17 drone at 78 miles range and 30,000 feet altitude.

26 Sep 1958

Headquarters USAF issued General Operational Requirement No. 80-3, establishing

a specific requirement for an infrared ICBM warning system.

29 Jan 1959

Air Force Form 161A, "Construction Project Justification Data," described the

NORAD COC project and estimated the cost for the facility, less furnishings,

computers and communications systems at $26.19 million.

31 Jan 1959 The US Ground Observer Corps units were inactivated.

1 Feb 1959

The Royal Canadian Air Force assumed responsibility for manning operations

positions at DEW Line stations in Canada.

15 Feb 1959

Air Defense Command officially assumed responsibility for contract administration

of the DEW Line.

Apr 1959

Texas Towers #4 became operational, completing this part of the NORAD air

defense network.

31 May 1959

CINCNORAD told the Joint Chiefs of Staff that he firmly believed NORAD should

be designated the military command to operation the National Space Surveillance

Control Center and he was proceeding with planning for its future integration into

the new, hardened Combat Operations Center in Cheyenne Mountain.

1 Sep 1959

The first BOMARC squadron (46th Air Defense Missile Squadron) became

operational at McGuire AFB, New Jersey.

3 Sep 1959

BOMARC IN-99A made its first successful intercept of a supersonic target, a

Regulus rocket.

17 Nov 1959

The Office of the Secretary of Defense transferred responsibility for the Missile

Defense Alarm System (MIDAS) to the USAF.

25 Mar 1960 Navy picket ships withdrawn from the Atlantic DEW Line sea barrier.

1 Apr 1960 Navy picket ships withdrawn from Pacific DEW Line sea barrier.

Jun 1960

NORAD updated the underground Combat Operations Center (COC) concept to the

Joint Chiefs of Staff to include both an air and space early warning mission.

3 Jun 1960

A Nike-Hercules surface-to-air missile destroyed a Corporal missile. This was the

first known instance of one guided missile intercepting another.

29 Jun 1960

NORAD letter to JCS updated COC concept to include integrated air and space

early warning mission.

1 Jul 1960 The Western Air Defense Force was discontinued.

14 Dec 1960

The first Air Force Baker-Nunn space camera to be located in the United States

began operations at Edwards AFB, California.

15 Jan 1961

Texas Tower #4, 80 miles southeast of New York City, collapsed in a storm with

the loss of 28 lives.

21 Apr 1961

The NORAD commander issued instructions concerning the 425L command and

control computer system operational philosophy, including use by NORAD and

component personnel, NORAD entry to sufficiently enable him to evaluate

indications presented, the requirements for human judgment in determining the

validity of individual system indications, and identification of data as to source

system.

18 May 1961

Excavation began for NORAD Command Operations Center (COC) in Cheyenne

Mountain.

16 Jun 1961

Official ground breaking ceremony held at the construction site of the new NORAD

Combat Operations Center. Generals Lee (ADC) and Kuter (NORAD)

simultaneously set off symbolic dynamite charges. Estimated cost of the combat

operations center (construction and equipment) then was $66M.

9 Jul 1961 The Soviet Union unveiled bombers in the Mach 2 class at a Moscow air show.

15 Jul 1961

The 9th Aerospace Defense Division activated at Ent AFB, Colorado. It was the

first large military space organization in the western world. The 1st Aerospace

Surveillance and Control Squadron were assigned to the 9 ADD.

1 Aug 1961

The entire DEW Line from Greenland to the Aleutians was completed as the final

four sites of the Greenland extension (DEW East) became operational.

14 Oct 1961

"The Day the Planes Stood Still." Exercise Sky Shield II grounded all civilian

aircraft for 12 hours by special FAA order. It was the largest airborne military

exercise ever: 1,800 NORAD fighters flew 6,000 sorties. An estimated 2,900

commercial flights were delayed.

15 Dec 1961

The last of 22 Semiautomatic Ground Environment (SAGE) direction centers

became operational at Sioux City, Iowa, completing the SAGE program in the

continental US.

The last active Army Nike-Ajax units were inactivated.

8 Feb 1962

General L.S. Kuter, CINCNORAD, briefed President Kennedy and Vice President

Johnson on the adequacy of continental defense. He advocated extending the missile

warning system to cover approaches by missiles from any direction. Of utmost

importance, however, he urged the installation of the Nike-Zeus ABM system at

least around Washington and to cover major ballistic missile and bomber bases.

18 Apr 1962

The 425L command and control computer system program director briefed the

USAF Air Defense Panel that that it would cost about $106 million, and was

directed to develop alternate plans for a $68.1 million program and one for

something less than $105 million.

19 Jul 1962

The first successful intercept by an Army NIKE-Zeus of an ICBM. The NIKE-Zeus

intercepted the ICBM ballistic nose cone flown at true speed and trajectory over

Kwajalein Missile Range, Marshall Islands. The target was an Atlas launched from

Vandenberg AFB, California.

Aug 1962

Excavation of the NORAD Combat Operations Center inside Cheyenne Mountain

was essentially completed, but it would not be completely finished until 1 May 64

principally due to the need to repair a geological fault in the ceiling at one of the

intersections by reinforcing it with a massive concrete dome at a cost of about

$2.7M.

22 Oct 1962

The Cuban Crisis caused Continental Air Command to increase its weapons

readiness status and declare DEFCON 3. The alert remained in effect until 27

November 1962. Part of CONAD's interceptor forces were dispersed across the

continental U.S. (CONUS).

24 Oct 1962

NORAD declared DEFCON 3 due to Cuban Missile Crisis. This level of alert

remained until 27 November 1962.

8 Jan 1963

The USAF announced the decision to decommission its off-shore radar platforms

(Texas Towers).

7 Mar 1963

Dedication of the new Air Defense Command headquarters, the Chidlaw Building,

2221 East Bijou Street, Colorado Springs.

25 Mar 1963 The last of the Texas Towers (#3) was shut down.

5 Jun 1963

President John F. Kennedy visited NORAD. He was briefed on the status of

Cheyenne Mountain.

Sep 1963

The ADC mission expanded to include responsibility for operating "the combat

crew training school for USAF personnel."

12 Jan 1964

Canada closed five of the eight section control stations of its Mid-Canada Line. Still

in operation were three section control stations and 39 unmanned doppler detection

stations running from eastern Manitoba to central Newfoundland.

29 May 1964

The Program 437 anti-missile system achieved initial operational capability (IOC).

The 10th Aerospace Defense Squadron had one missile on alert on Johnston Island.

23 Jul 1964

BOMARC IM-99A was phased-out of Air Defense Command's inventory as a

tactical weapon. The last missile was removed from operational status at Suffolk

County AFB, New York, by the 6th Air Defense Missile Squadron.

24 Sep 1964

SECDEF approved the Cheyenne Mountain Complex Task Force Study, a NORAD

proposal for a Space Defense Center, and construction of the underground Combat

Operations Center. SECDEF also made 1 January 1966 as the target date for turning

over the Combat Operations Center to CINCNORAD and established the objective

that the facility would be ultimately staffed entirely by military personnel.

31 Mar 1965

Canada closed the remainder of its Mid-Canada Line. The radar line had cost

approximately $13 million a year to run.

3 Sep 1965

Air Defense Command's SPACETRACK Center and NORAD's SPADATS Center

merged to form the Space Defense Center. It was moved from Ent AFB to the

newly completed Cheyenne Mountain Combat Operations Center and was activated.

1 Oct 1965

A Major General was assigned as the first Director of the Combat Operations

Center as recommended by the Cheyenne Mountain Complex Task Force Study

Report. This established a separate Battle Staff organization. The Director was

responsible directly to CINCNORAD for tactical matters and the Joint Chiefs of

Staff for all others.

20 Apr 1966

CINCNORAD transferred Combat Operations Center operations from Ent Air

Force Base to Cheyenne Mountain and declared the 425L command and control

system fully operational.

20 May 1966 The NORAD Attack Warning System became operational.

6 Feb 1967

The Space Defense Center and the Combat Operations Center achieved Full

Operational Capability. The total cost was $142.4 million.

22 May 1967

General J.P. McConnell, USAF Chief of Staff, designated Air Defense Command as

the USAF agency responsible for "providing all satellite data derived from skin

tracking, including predictions of satellite decay."

15 Jan 1968

The Air Defense Command was re-designated Aerospace Defense Command. It still

held the designation ADC.

1 Mar 1968

The Over-the-Horizon Forward Scatter Missile Detection System (440L) began

interim capability, which allowed limited operational capability while still under

development.

30 Mar 1968

The first renewal of the US/Canada NORAD contained three important changes

from the original document: 1) The renewal period was reduced from 10 to 5 years;

2) Either government may terminate the agreement following a one year notice; and

3) Canada specifically confirmed that she would not be committed to participate in

an active ballistic missile defense.

1 Jul 1968

The Fourteenth Aerospace Force was activated at Ent AFB, Colorado. It inherited

the staff and mission of the 9th Aerospace Defense Division, which was

discontinued. The First Aerospace Control Squadron was then re-assigned to the

14th Aerospace Force.

1 Aug 1968 Continental Air Command (CONAC) was inactivated.

5 Oct 1969

An armed MiG-17, flown by a Cuban pilot who wished to defect, flew from Santa

Clara, Cuba, to Homestead AFB, Florida, virtually undetected until it flew past the

base control tower and signaled that it wanted to land. It was later learned that the

pilot flew very low over the ocean and under the beams of surveillance radars. He

was detected once when he rose to 3,000 feet to verify navigation by homing in on a

Miami radio station. The track was declared invalid because it disappeared quickly

from the screen. The report by the Subcommittee on Air Defense on Southeastern

United States, of the House Committee on Armed Services, recommended

improving radar facilities in the area.

1 Jun 1970

Aerospace Defense Command accepted the 474N Sea-Launched Ballistic Missile

Detection and Warning System. It consisted of seven FSS-7 radar sites situated

along the east and west coasts of the United States. (The system had numerous

problems and deficiencies and did not reach initial operational capability until May

1972.)

Mar 1971

Twenty-seven Nike Hercules batteries in the US were released from air defense

alert and inactivated on 30 June 1971.

1 Jun 1971

Aerospace Defense Command accepted from Air Force Systems Command the four

receiver sites, the Correlation Center, and the communication segment of the Over-

the-Horizon Forward Scatter Radar System (440L).

1 Apr 1972

Canada's two BOMARC air defense missile squadrons (the 446th SAM Squadron,

North Bay, Ontario, and the 447th SAM Squadron, Lamacaza, Quebec) were

released from NORAD alert preparatory to deactivation.

31 Oct 1972

The last BOMARC surface-to-air missile squadron, the 22nd Air Defense Missile

Squadron, at Langley AFB, Virginia was inactivated; BOMARC interceptor activity

ended.

10 May 1973

Canada and the US extended the NORAD agreement without alteration for a period

of two years to 12 May 1975.

6 Jun 1973

The Raytheon Corporation was awarded a $39.5 million contract to build a fixed

single face, phase array radar on Shemya Island, Alaska.

1 Jul 1973

Continental Air Defense Command and Aerospace Defense Command headquarters

begin consolidation and streamlining.

31 Mar 1974

The Safeguard Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) site at Grand Forks, North Dakota,

achieved initial operational capability. This was the nation's first ABM site.

Operational command was assigned to CINCNORAD through US-only channels in

April 1975. NORAD did not have a role in Safeguard missile defense. The site

achieved full operational capability in October 1975, but was closed in February

1976.

11 Jun 1973

Aerospace Defense Command recommended to Air Force Systems command the

development of a five site network of deep space electro-optical sensors that would

supplement and eventually replace the Baker-Nunn space camera. The Ground-

Based-Optical Deep Space Surveillance System (GEODSS) would use three optical

telescopes and highly sophisticated electronic analysis and display equipment.

1 Oct 1974

Installation of the Ballistic Missile Defense Center in Cheyenne Mountain, the

command link between the NORAD/CONAD Combat Operations Center and the

Safeguard Missile Defense Center at Grand Forks, was completed.

4 Jan 1975

The US Army Air Defense command, a component command of the North

American Air Defense Command/Continental Air Command, was inactivated at Ent

AFB, Colorado.

17 Mar 1975

The Over-the-Horizon Forward Scatter Radar System (440L) ceased operations

prior to inactivation of sites and units.

30 Jun 1975

Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) was disestablished. Aerospace

Defense Command (ADCOM) took over former CONAD operations.

1 Jul 1975

The Joint Chiefs of Staff reorganized Aerospace Defense Command (ADCOM) into

a specified command. It retained its MAJCOM status. It took over the roles and

responsibilities of the Continental Air Defense Command.

Aug 1975

The first of a new series of quarterly NORAD exercises, Vigilant Overview 76-1,

was conducted.

1 Oct 1975

Headquarters, Alaskan ADCOM Region was re-designated and activated at

Elmendorf AFS, Alaska. -- Aerospace Defense Command assumed control of

missile warning and space surveillance forces of Alaskan Air Command.

1976

NORAD Combat Operations Center became a separate organization from

NORAD/ADCOM Directorate of Operations, with a 1-star commander. Established

as an AF Controlled Unit. The Missile Warning Division was placed under the

Directorate of Space and Missile Warning.

10 Feb 1976

Aerospace Defense Command, acting on JCS orders, informed all concerned that

Safeguard operations were terminated and that the system was released from

operational control of CINC Aerospace Defense Command.

Apr 1976

PAVE PAWS, a phased-array early warning radar proposed to replace Sea-

Launched Ballistic Missile warning system radars (AN/FSS-7s), contract awarded

for site at Otis Air Force Base, Massachusetts, and at Beale Air Force Base,

California.

Oct 1976

New phased-array Cobra Dane radar system began tests at Shemya AFB, Arkansas.

Cobra Dane supported SPACETRACK and other missions.

1 Oct 1976

The 14th Aerospace Force, Ent AFB, Colorado was inactivated and its personnel

and units (missile and space surveillance) were re-assigned to HQ ADCOM and

ADCOM divisions and the Alaskan ADCOM Region.

Dec 1976

Ent Air Force Base was declared excess. Personnel were moved to Peterson AFB

and the Chidlaw Building, near downtown Colorado Springs.

1979

NORAD and Air Force Air Defense Command developed a series of command-

level programs to resolve operational effectiveness and suitability problems with the

aging 427M computer system. These problems were addressed by the creation of

individual acquisition programs with limited scope and cost.

29 Jan 1979

The first E-3A AWACS aircraft was designated to support NORAD's mission. This

marked the beginning of the changeover from SAGE to Joint Surveillance System

radar in the 25th NORAD Region.

29 Mar 1979

The USAF made a public announcement of its plans to reorganize its aerospace

defense forces. Consequently, the USAF inactivated ADCOM as a major command

and reassigned its resources to other commands.

Apr 1979

The last U.S. Army air defense HAWK and NIKE continental air defense batteries

were deactivated.

9 Apr 1979

Operational control of the last air defense artillery units removed from

CINCNORAD and passed to the Army's Forces Command. This ended 25 years of

Army participation in North American air defense.

1 Oct 1979

The first part of two part reorganization of aerospace defense resources took place

with the transfer of ADCOM's atmospheric defense resources (interceptors and

warning radars) to Tactical Air Command (TAC), and its communications and

electronics assets to Air Force Communications Service. Air Defense, Tactical Air

Command (ADTAC) was established as a Numbered Air Force equivalent under

Tactical Air Command.

9 Oct 1979

Canada signed the Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) between the US and

Canada. The LOA provided for two Region Operations Centeres, both to be

constructed at North Bay, Ontario, as part of the Joint Surveillance System.

9 Nov 1979

For about three minutes, a test scenario of a missile attack on North America was

inadvertently transmitted to the operational side of the 427M system in the

Cheyenne Mountain Complex Operations Center. The test data was processed as

real information, displayed on missile warning consoles in the command post, and

transmitted to national command centers. About eight minutes elapsed between the

time the test data appeared and NORAD assessed confidence that no strategic attack

was underway. This aroused widespread public and Congressional interest.

Corrective actions to prevent a reoccurrence continued into 1980. This incident was

fictionalized and exaggerated in the 1983 movie WarGames.

May 1980

Canada and the United States postponed renewal negotiations for the NORAD

agreement by a one-year extension.

3 & 6 Jun 1980

Failure of a computer chip within a line multiplexer (Nova 840 computer) of the

NORAD Control System caused false missile warning data to be transmitted to

Strategic Air Command, the National Command Center, and the National Alternate

Command Center. Again, a number of technical and procedural changes were made.

This incident built upon the public and congressional concern dating to 9 November

1979.

1 Sep 1980

A special USAF Inspector General Examination of Air Force Support for the

Tactical Warning and Attack Assessment (TW/AA) (the Leaf Report) called the

system "...at best adequate." Although parts of the system were new and upgrades

were planned, most of the computer-processing capability and some of the sensors

were based on 20-year old technology. The changing threat called for new

subsystems and major system upgrades. Such a complex system, constantly in a

state of evolution, required continued attention from high level leadership and its

various elements should be managed as a complete system. The report found that

elements of TW/AA were not being managed that way.

Mar 1981

President Reagan and Prime Minister Trudeau finalized the U.S.-Canada Joint

Policy Statement on Air Defense.

12 Mar 1981

General Hartinger selected Peterson AFB as the site for the Backup Facility to the

NORAD Cheyenne Mountain Complex. It would assume command and control

functions should the Mountain experience a failure during peacetime.

12 May 1981

The NORAD Agreement was renewed for five more years. The renewal was

preceded by extensive Canadian public discussion and reports on the status of the

agreement. Opinion weighed heavily on the side of continued participation and that

Canada should consider participation in space-based programs and systems. Major

changes included: (1) The BMD caveat dropped; (2) "Air defense" changed to

"aerospace defense;" (3) Continued effort was to be made to realign regional

boundaries; (4) Wording changes that indicated the importance of space to North

American defense and a need for enhanced cooperation in space surveillance

activities were made.

12-15 Apr 1981

Space Defense Operation Center crews, and Space Detection and Tracking System

sensors, under the operational control of ADCOM, supported the Space Shuttle's

maiden flight.

25 Aug 1981

CINCNORAD directed the establishment of an emergency relocation team. Its

purpose would be to assist CINCNORAD or his successor in the post-attack

reconstitution and redirection of forces. The name was later changed to the Rapid

Emergency Relocation Team (RAPIER).

21 Jun 1982

The Air Force announced that it was forming a new major command, Space

Command, in Colorado Springs. The command would be concerned with space

operations in support of military operations.

1 Sep 1982

United States Air Force Space Command was activated and given resource

management of missile warning and space surveillance assets under ADCOM's

operational control. General James Hartinger, Commander, Lieutenant General

Richard C. Henry, Vice Commander.

16 Nov 1982

NORAD COC Backup Facility at Peterson AFB achieved FOC. It would assume

command and control functions from Cheyenne Mountain if that facility was

disabled or experienced a major failure.

7 Jun 1983

The Air Force Chief of Staff asked the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS)

to consider creating a new unified/joint command to support space operations.

18 Mar 1985

Secretary of Defense Caspar W. Weinberger, and the Canadian Minister of Defense,

Erik Nielsen, signed the North American Air Defense Modernization Memorandum,

which authorized the building of the North Warning System (NWS).

2 Aug 1985

CJCS approved the organization structure of US Space Command

(USSPACECOM), inactivation of ADCOM, USSPACECOM's relationship with

NORAD, and proposed establishment of US Element NORAD (USELMNORAD).

23 Sep 1985

USSPACECOM stood up in Colorado Springs. One USSPACECOM mission was

to support NORAD by providing missile warning and space surveillance data.

Component commands were Air Force Space Command, Naval Space Command,

and the Army Space Liaison Office.

19 Mar 1986

Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and President Ronald Reagan signed the

NORAD renewal agreement. It became effective on 12 May 1986.

1 Oct 1986 The Continental United States NORAD Region (CONR) was activated.

19 Dec 1986

Aerospace Defense Command, the specified command, was inactivated at Colorado

Springs, Colorado.

Apr 1987

U.S. and Canada deployed the first segment of the North Warning System (NWS).

The NWS series of radar sites replaced the DEW Line.

1988

CINCNORAD (Gen. Piotrowski) had concerns about his ability to perform

simultaneous command and control of the complex NORAD and USSPACECOM

missions. The CINC expressed a desire to consolidate the NORAD and

USSPACECOM command centers.

15 Nov 1988

Air Force Space Surveillance Element was activated in the Cheyenne Mountain

Complex. This was the first step in the process of re-defining the proper command

and control relationships between AFSPACECOM and USSPACECOM.

24 Jan 1989

The Canadian Government formally agreed with NORAD's anti-drug mission being

in the purview of the command's air sovereignty mission.

15 Oct 1989

CINCNORAD published the counter-narcotics campaign plan, SNOWFENCE 90

CAMPLAN. This detailed overall doctrine, strategy and force employment plans in

support of national anti-drug efforts.

12 May 1990

The NORAD/USSPACECOM staffs presented the CINC (Gen Kutyna) with a

proposal to establish a Consolidated Command Center (CCC) within the Cheyenne

Mountain Complex, which would permit the CINC to support both commands’

missions during war or crisis. The CINC approved the concept.

Jan 1991

As a result of the continued US and Allied presence in the Middle East resulting

from Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM, NORAD's Missile

Correlation Center added Theater Missile Warning to its mission set.

15 Jan 1993

The NORAD/USSPACECOM Consolidated Command Center became operational

in Cheyenne Mountain.

Feb 1993

CINCNORAD implemented the Flexible Alert Concept, giving CONR, CANR,

ANR Commanders authority to adjust readiness in their alert fighter force according

to the perceived threat. This marked a radical change from 24-hour alert status

performed by NORAD alert fighters during the Cold War.

Mar 1993

Relocatable Over-the-Horizon radar entered operational status to counter illegal

drug movements in the United States.

Jul 1993

CINCNORAD approved First Air Force and Air Combat Command's

recommendation to consolidate Northwest and Southwest Sector Operations

Command Centers (SOCCs) into West SOCC at McChord Air Force Base,

Washington.

15 Jul 1993 The DEW Line was officially closed.

Nov 1993

The Deputy Secretary of Defense issued a policy announcing a major shift in focus

for U.S. drug efforts. The Memorandum announced a major shift in focus for US

counterdrug efforts from "transit zones" to "source countries." The new policy

reduced the overall NORAD counterdrug mission.

Nov 1993

Canadian and U.S. representatives met in Washington, DC, to begin consideration

of the 1996 NORAD Agreement Renewal process. Revamping the agreement to

reflect the decline of the Soviet Union and the inclusion of Ballistic Missile Defense

in the NORAD Agreement were major issues.

May 1994

US Secretary of Defense authorized warm storage of OTH-B radar at Bangor,

Maine.

1 Jan 1995

NORAD combined the Northwest and Southwest Air Defense Sectors into the

Western Air Defense Sector (WADS).

17 Apr 1995

CMOC reorganization was complete. NORAD and USSPACECOM Cheyenne

Mountain centers were combined into one organization.

18 Aug 1995

Gen Ashy, CINCNORAD/USCINCSPACE, personally wrote a new organization

and mission directive (38-1) for the Cheyenne Mountain Operations Center

(CMOC). The CMOC Commander was a USAF (joint combined billet) general

officer who reported directly to CINCNORAD/USCINCSPACE. The CMOC

Deputy Commander was a Canadian general officer. Policy, direction, and

interaction with the NORAD and USSPACECOM staffs were through/with the

respective Directors of Operations.

28 Mar 1996

Canada and the US signed a renewal of the NORAD Agreement that became

effective on 12 May 1996. The 1996 Agreement redefined the command's missions

as (1) Aerospace warning for North America, and (2) Aerospace control for North

America. A consultative mechanism was included on issues concerning aerospace

defense and there was a provision that both parties agreed to sound environmental

practices related to NORAD operations in accordance with joint consultations.

Apr 1996

Canada announced the planned transition of Canadian NORAD Region (CANR)

headquarters functions to a consolidated 1st Canadian Air Division and Canadian

NORAD Region Headquarters (1CAD/CANR HQ).

Jan 1997

CINCNORAD approved the NORAD Vision 2010 Briefing, which was developed

to reflect the command's vision for 2010 and beyond to include future security

challenges, missions, capabilities, and an implementation process.

1 Apr 1997

Region Air Operations Center, North Bay, Ontario, transferred operational

responsibilities to the new Canadian NORAD Region (CANR) Headquarters in

Winnipeg.

25 Oct 1999

NORAD fighters provided an emergency escort to the Learjet 35 carrying golfer

Payne Stewart. The Learjet depressurized, killing all on board. It crashed in a South

Dakota cornfield.

1 Jan 2000

NORAD/USSPACECOM's Y2K preparation was highly successful. Each unit and

installation reported no mission-threatening failures.

Nov-Dec 2000

The Russian Bear flights resumed in Alaska NORAD Region area. Operation

NORTHERN DENIAL positioned US and Canadian aircraft in forward operating

bases through 15 December 2000.

23 Mar 2001

As the Russians de-orbited Mir which had been in Earth orbit for over 15 years,

CMOC personnel monitored and reported necessary notification procedures. The

messages and notifications occurred without error for the Mir de-orbit.

Mar-Apr 2001

NORAD Combat Operations and Air Combat Command operations staff members

agreed to the three Air Operating Centers (CONR, CANR, ANR).

11 Sep 2001

Terrorists hijacked four U.S. airliners, crashing two into the World Trade Towers in

New York City, one into the Pentagon, and one into a field in rural Pennsylvania.

CMOC monitored events and directed air defense responses to the terrorist

hijackings of commercial airliners and the subsequent crashes. CINCNORAD

implemented and conducted OPERATION NOBLE EAGLE, the air defense

response, to the 9/11 events, from the Command Post Battle Cab in Cheyenne

Mountain.

U.S Joint Forces Command chopped Air Force and Navy aircraft to NORAD to

protect against further terrorist attacks on New York and Washington D.C. Aegis

guided missile cruisers and destroyers deployed to assist Air Force and Air National

Guard defending CONUS airspace.

13 Sep 2001

CJCS designated military operations supporting homeland security as Operation

NOBLE EAGLE.

9 Oct 2001

Operation EAGLE ASSIST involved deployment of five NATO E-3 AWACS

aircraft to Tinker AFB in Oklahoma to support Operation NOBLE EAGLE.

26 Oct 2001

Military commanders received additional authority to defend the U.S. homeland, its

states, territories, trusts, and commonwealths. Commander (CDR) NORAD was

placed in charge of aerospace defense.

29 Jan 2002

Canadian Vice Chief of Defense LGen George Macdonald announced that extended

collaboration between US and Canadian forces on land and sea could be modeled

on NORAD.

30 Apr 2002

President George W. Bush approved Unified Command Plan 2002, which directed

the establishment of United States Northern Command. Until and unless the existing

NORAD Agreement was superseded, the Commander of USNORTHCOM was to

be designated as Commander, US Element NORAD, and under normal

circumstances, was to be designated CDR NORAD.

1 Oct 2002

USSPACECOM was disestablished and its space missions were merged into a

newly activated U.S. Strategic Command. During the same ceremony, U.S.

Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) was activated at Peterson AFB. With this

substantial change in command structure, discussions were under way to determine

the relationship of the Cheyenne Mountain Operations Center to U.S. Strategic

Command and U.S. Northern Command. General Ralph E. Eberhart (USAF), CDR

NORAD, assumed command of USNORTHCOM, making him the dual-hatted

commander of the two organizations safeguarding the U.S. homeland and North

America.

8 Nov 2002

NORAD received the Joint Meritorious Unit Award for exceptionally meritorious

service and achievement in defending North America from 11 Sep 2001 to 10 Sep

2002.

16 Jan 2003

The Secretary of Defense directed NORAD to participate in multi-layer air defense

of the National Capital Region using air and ground weapons systems, sensors, and

command and control assets.

1 Feb 2003

NORAD provided monitoring and air support during space shuttle Columbia's

failed re-entry and subsequent debris location.

17 Jun 2004

CDR NORAD and USNORTHCOM General Ralph Eberhart testified before the

9/11 Commission on the military response to 9/11 and NORAD support provided.

5 Aug 2004

U.S. and Canadian officials approved amendments to the 1996 NORAD Agreement,

authorizing NORAD to make missile warning information available to US

commands involved in ballistic missile defense.

5-10 Aug 2004

Exercise AMALGAM VIRGO 04 permitted NORAD to evaluate peacetime

homeland defense and Operation NOBLE EAGLE across sector/region and U.S.-

Canadian borders.

30 Nov 2004

President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Paul Martin issued a joint

communiqué that reinforced United States-Canada security cooperation in the areas

of intelligence/information sharing, enhanced border and infrastructure security,

combating human trafficking, improved passport security and integrity, and

expanding the NORAD Agreement to address increased security cooperation.

21 May 2005

NORAD deployed a new warning signal for communicating with aircraft within the

Washington D.C. area. The Visual Warning System (VWS) was fielded by

NORAD, in cooperation with the Federal Aviation Administration and the Air

Force Rapid Capabilities Office.

13-21 Jul 2005

NORAD protected Space Shuttle Discovery launch at Cape Canaveral. The mission

continued for Atlantis (Aug-Sep 2006) and Discovery (Dec 2006).

1 Feb 2006

Canada Command (Canada COM) stood up to conduct routine and contingency

domestic operations.

11-13 Apr 2006

NORAD fighters intercepted and escort Russian Long-range Aircraft off the

Canadian and Alaskan coasts.

26 Apr 2006

The United States and Canada signed the NORAD Agreement Renewal of 2006,

with an effective date of 12 May 2006. This important agreement renewed the

aerospace warning and aerospace control mission and added a new mission of

maritime warning. The Terms of Reference states that first two missions remain

unchanged and than an Implementation Planning Team would address the "how to"

of maritime warning. USNORTHCOM was the DOD lead in the development of

Maritime Domain Awareness.

30 Sep 2006

U.S. and Canadian fighters, from NORAD's Canadian Region (CANR) and Alaskan

Region (ANR), launched to intercept two Russian Tu-95 bombers near Alaskan

airspace. There was no apparent hostile intent, and the Russian aircraft remained

within the limits of international airspace.

11 Oct 2006

NORAD aircraft responded to a Manhattan airplane crash that killed New York

Yankees pitcher Cory Lidle and his flight instructor.

20 Nov 2006

Northeast Air Defense Sector (NEADS) and Southeast Air Defense Sector

(SEADS) combined into Eastern Air Defense Sector (EADS). NORAD's Western

Air Defense Sector opened its new operations center, utilizing the latest advances in

integrated radar and computer technology and newly developed situational

awareness systems to assist in responding to disasters.

4-14 Dec 2006

Exercise VIGILANT SHIELD 07 simulated a series of crises stressing interagency

cooperation. NORAD concentrated on detection and warning of aerospace and

maritime threats.

29 Jan 2007

U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates visited Headquarters NORAD and

USNORTHCOM and met with members of the Command. During the visit the

Secretary of Defense received briefings on the command mission, homeland

defense, N-NC plans, and preparedness through command exercises and training.

16 Feb 2007

NORAD and US Pacific Command commanders signed an Memorandum of

Understanding coordinating operations where the command's areas of responsibility

overlap during peacetime, contingency, and wartime situations.

Apr 2007

Started shortly after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Operation Noble

Eagle (ONE) was the ongoing air patrol mission to defend North America against

terrorist aggression either within or outside the nations' air borders. By April 2007,

NORAD had responded to more than 2,700 potential airborne threats in the

continental United States, Canada, and Alaska, while flying more than 45,000

sorties.

2 Jun 2007

AFNORTH opened its new Air and Space Operations Center at Tyndall AFB,

Florida. The $30 million facility, operated by the 601st Air Operations Group,

Florida Air National Guard, began its mission to plan, direct and assess day-to-day

air and space operations for NORAD and USNORTHCOM.

16 Aug 2007

Two pairs of Russian BEAR H bombers (4 total aircraft) flew and exercise. One

pair flew north over the Polar cap, with no visual identification being conducted by

NORAD aircraft. The second pair was visually identified and escorted by ANR F-

15s until they left the Alaskan ADIZ along the Aleutian Island chain.

3 Sep 2007

Alaska NORAD Region F-15s visually identified two Russian BEAR H bombers in

the Alaskan ADIZ and escorted them north until they left the ADIZ.

6 Sep 2007

Exercise AMALGAM ARROW 07-12 tested ANR, CANR, and CONR on the

Operation Noble Eagle (ONE) Mission.

28 Sep 2007

A successful launch and intercept test of the BMDS occurred. During the test a

target missile was launched from Kodiak Island, Alaska, and tracked by radar at

Beale AFB, California. The interceptor missile was fired from Vandenberg AFB,

California, striking the target warhead about eight minutes later.

22 Nov 2007

The Alaskan NORAD Region (ANR) launched fighter, tankers, and C2 aircraft to

identify and monitor two Russian BEAR H bomber aircraft off the coast of Alaska.

This mission was the first time that the F-22 Raptor was used in a mission in

Alaska.

Feb 2008

NORAD was part of a network of land-, air-, sea-, and space-based sensors

monitoring the missile interception (and subsequent debris) of a non-functioning

U.S. satellite orbiting earth.

25 Mar 2008

Two Alaskan NORAD Region (ANR) F-15 aircraft intercepted two Russian BEAR

H TU-95 bombers over international waters heading toward Alaska. The Russians

continued their robust Long Range Aviation (LRA) exercise program without filing

plans for safety purposes.

12 May 2008

NORAD celebrated its 50th anniversary. The Secretary of Defense Robert Gates,

MND Peter McKay; Bill Ritter, Governor of Colorado; General Gene Renuart,

Commander NORAD and USNORTHCOM, and other distinguished participants,

celebrated NORAD's 50th birthday with a Gala Ball and other special activities and

events.

5 Apr 2009

North Korea launched a Taepodong-2 missile, supposedly for placing a satellite in

to Earth orbit. NORAD and USNORTHCOM closely monitored the launch, ready

to take defense action if the missile presented a threat to U.S. territory. The missile

experienced engine failure, as stage one of the missile fell into the Sea of Japan/East

Sea and the remaining stages plus the payload landed in the Pacific Ocean after a

trajectory of 2,300 miles. A White House statement characterized the event as a

"clear violation of the United Nations Security Council resolution 1718," which

prohibited North Korea from conducting ballistic missile activity.

6 Apr 2009

A student at a flight school in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada, stole a Cessna 172

and flew across the border into the United States. NORAD tracked the aircraft and

ordered two F-16s to follow the target of interest. The F-16s intercepted the intruder

near the Michigan-Wisconsin state line. The aircraft appeared to pose no threat, and

after several hours the plane landed safely near Poplar Bluff, Missouri. The motive

for the flight, according to its pilot, was the desire to be shot down and killed by the

fighters.

25-29 May 2009

North Korea conducted a nuclear test on 25 May 2009, followed by a series of six

test launches of short-range missiles, with the final launch occurring on 29 May

2009. NORAD and USNORTHCOM monitored the events, determining that the

launches did not pose a threat. However, the nuclear test caused international

concern about North Korea's belligerent stance.

18-20 Jun 2009

Exercise AMALGAM DART involved detecting, identifying, tracking and

intercepting potentially threatening airborne missiles or aircraft at Camp Rilea,

Oregon. For the exercise the Army National Guard ground-based air defense system

was integrated with U.S. Air Force AWACS and fighters, in addition to a U.S. Navy

Aegis Destroyer, all under the direction of the CONR Commander at the Air and

Space Operations Center at Tyndall AFB, Florida.

15 Jul 2009

The Headquarters Southeast Air Defense Sector was inactivated at Tyndall AFB,

Florida. The Headquarters Northeast Air Defense Sector was re-designated the

Headquarters Eastern Air Defense Sector (EADS).

2-6 Nov 2009

NORAD and USNORTHCOM conducted Exercise VIGILANT SHIELD 10. This

exercise was a National Exercise Program Tier II Homeland Defense and Homeland

Security field training exercise. The primary focus of the exercise was to the support

of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. NORAD fighter jets conducted training over

Vancouver Island and the Canadian mainland in support of security preparations for

the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

13 Nov 2009

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff awarded NORAD and USNORTHCOM

military and civilian personnel the Joint Meritorious Unit Award (JMUA) for

service from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2008. NORAD's meritorious service

included visually identifying hundreds of unknown aircraft in Canadian and U.S.

airspace and protecting restricted airspace.

12-28 Feb 2010

NORAD supported the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in British Columbia, Canada,

by providing aerospace warning and control. During the Games CANR regularly

intercepted Tracks of Interest in the Olympic area. CONR provided airborne early

warning and air-refueling assets to support CANR and ANR stood-by assist as

directed.

3-9 Nov 2010

Exercise VIGILANT SHIELD 11 NORAD exercised its standing plan for the air

defense of North America focusing on its mission of aerospace warning, aerospace

control, and maritime warning.

8 July 2011

NORAD monitored and provided support to STS-135, the final launch of the U.S.

Space Shuttle Program

30 Aug 2012

Exercise Vigilant Eagle 12, a joint computer-based command post exercise

designed to build and strengthen cooperation between U.S., Canadian and Russian

military forces during a terrorist hijacking where the aircraft moves between U.S.

and Russian airspace was conducted.

22-28 Oct 2012

VIGILANT SHIELD, a homeland defense exercise that saw the doors of Cheyenne

Mountain AFS close for the first time for over 24 hours

27 Aug 2013

Vigilant Eagle 13, fighter jets from the North American Aerospace Defense

Command and the Russian air force scrambled to track and intercept “hijacked”

aircraft

North American Aerospace Defense Command

Lineage and Honors

As of 31 December 2012

Unit Designation: North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) – re-

designated on 18 March 1981.

Previous Designation: North American Air Defense Command (NORAD)

Authority: Established 12 May 1958, per NORAD Agreement of 1958,

renewed March 1968, May 1973, May 1975, May 1980; March

1981, March 1986, April 1991, March 1996, June 2000, and May

2006.

Higher Headquarters: Canadian Minister of National Defence and U.S. Secretary of

Defense.

Station: Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Awards & Decorations: Joint Meritorious Unit Award, 1 July 1992 – 26 August 1996

Joint Meritorious Unit Award, 11 September 2001 – 10

September 2002

Joint Meritorious Unit Award,1 January 2007 – 31 December 2008

Joint Meritorious Unit Award, 1 January 2010 – 31 December

2011

Joint Meritorious Unit Award, 1 January 2012 – 31 December

2012

North American Aerospace Defense Command Emblem

The blue background of the shield signifies the air; the turquoise waters of the

globe denote the sea; the yellow continent indicated the land – the three

environments in which any defense of the North American continent would take

place.

The silver wings enfolding the globe in a protective manner, issuing from behind

the globe and out of space are symbolic of the Armed Forces and the might of

NORAD.

The up position of the sword, pointing upward toward the northern skies,

represents the direction from which the shortest approach of the aggressor will be

met by NORAD. Discharging from the sword are two lightning bolts portraying

the instantaneous striking power with which any aggressor will be met by

NORAD.

NORAD Commanders

Commanders

Name:

Dates:

Gen Earle E. Partridge, USAF

12 Sep 1957 – 30 Jul 1959

Gen Laurence S. Kuter, USAF

1 Aug 1959 – 30 Jul 1962

Gen John K. Gerhart, USAF

1 Aug 1962 – 30 Mar 1965

Gen Dean C. Strother, USAF

1 Apr 1965 – 29 Jul 1966

Gen Raymond J. Reeves, USAF

1 Aug 1966 – 31 Ju1 1969

Gen Seth J. McKee, USAF

1 Aug 1969 – 30 Sep 1973

Gen Lucius D. Clay, USAF

1 Oct 1973 – 29 Aug 1975

Gen Daniel James Jr., USAF

1 Sep 1975 – 5 Dec 1977

Gen James E. Hill, USAF

6 Dec 1977 – 31 Dec 1979

Gen James V. Hartinger, USAF

1 Jan 1980 – 29 Jul 1984

Gen Robert T. Herres, USAF

30 Jul 1984 – 5 Feb 1987

Gen John L. Piotrowski, USAF

6 Feb 1987 – 30 Mar 1990

Gen Donald J. Kutyna, USAF

1 Apr 1990 – 29 Jun 1992

Gen Charles A. Horner, USAF

30 Jun 1992 – 12 Sep 1994

Gen Joseph W. Ashy, USAF

13 Sep 1994 – 26 Aug 1996

Gen Howell M. Estes III, USAF

29 Aug 1996 – 14 Aug 1998

Gen Richard B. Myers, USAF

14 Aug 1998 – 18 Feb 2000

Gen Ralph E. Eberhart, USAF

18 Feb 2000 – 5 Oct 2004

ADM Timothy J. Keating, USN

5 Nov 2004 – 23 Mar 2007

Gen Victor E. Renuart, Jr. USAF

23 Mar 2007 – 19 May 2010

ADM James A. Winnefield Jr., USN

19 May 2010 – 3 Aug 2011

GEN Charles H. Jacoby, Jr., USA

3 Aug 2011 - present

NORAD Deputy Commanders

Name:

Dates

Air Marshal C. Roy Slemon

12 Sep 1957 – 14 Aug 1964

Air Marshal C. R. Dunlap

15 Aug 1964 – 25 Aug 1967

Air Marshal William R. MacBrien

26 Aug 1967 – 22 Jan 1969

LGen Frederick R. Sharp

23 Jan 1969 – 14 Sep 1969

LGen Edwin M. Reyno

15 Sep 1969 – 31 Aug 1972

LGen Reginald J. Lane

1 Sep 1972 – 1 Oct 1974

LGen Richard C. Stovel

2 Oct 1974 – 15 Sep 1976

LGen David R. Adamson

16 Sep 1976 – 17 Aug 1978

LGen Kenneth E. Lewis

18 Aug 1978 – 24 Jun 1980

LGen Kenneth J. Thomeycroft

25 Jun 1980 – 25 May 1983

LGen Donald C. Mackenzie

26 May 1983 – 10 Aug 1986

LGen Donald M. McNaughton

11 Aug 1986 – 11 Aug 1989

LGen Robert W. Morton

11 Aug 1989 – 2 Aug 1992

LGen Brian L. Smith

3 Aug 1992 – 1 Aug 1994

LGen J.D. O'Blenis

2 Aug 1994 – 7 Aug 1995

LGen L.W.F. Cuppens

8 Aug 1995 – 7 Apr 1998

LGen G.E.C. Macdonald

8 Apr 1998 – 8 Aug 2001

LGen Kenneth R. Pennie

8 Aug 2001 – 14 Jul 2003

LGen Eric A. Findley

14 Jul 2003 – 2 Aug 2007

LGen J.J.C. Bouchard

2 Aug 2007 – 10 Jul 2009

LGen Marcel Duval

10 Jul 2009 – 15 Aug 2011

LGen Thomas J. Lawson

15 Aug 2011 – 4 Sep 2012

LGen Alain Parent

04 Sep 2012 – Present

Headquarters NORAD Locations

Base

Dates

Ent Air Force Base, CO

September 1957 – March 1963

Chidlaw Building, Colorado Springs, CO

March 1963 – January 1988

Building 1470, Peterson Air Force Base, CO

January 1988 – March 2003

Building 2, Peterson Air Force Base, CO

March 2003 – October 2012

Eberhart-Findley Building, Peterson Air Force Base,

CO (ex-Building 2)

October 2012 – present

NORAD Area of Operations

AADS=Alaska Air Defense Sector

CADS=Canadian Air Defence Sector

WADS=Western Air Defense Sector

EADS=Eastern Air Defense Sector

NORAD Aircraft

Model

Popular Name

Manufacturer

Dates:

F-47 (Reg)

Thunderbolt

Republic

Mar 1946 – Nov 1947

F-47 (Fed ANG)

Thunderbolt

Republic

Feb 1951 – Dec 1953

F-61

Black Widow

Northrop

Mar 1946 – Dec 1949

F-84

Thunderjet

Republic

1947 – Jun 1954

F-80 (Reg)

Shooting Star

Lockheed

Nov 1948 – 1950

F-80 (Fed ANG)

Shooting Star

Lockheed

Feb 1951 – Dec 1953

F-86 (Day Jet)

Sabre

North American

1949 – 1954

F-82

Twin Mustang

North American

1949 – Jun 1952

F-51

Mustang

North American

Feb 1951 – Dec 1953

F-94A

Starfire

Lockheed

Mar 1950 – Jun 1954

F-94B

Starfire

Lockheed

Apr 1951 – Jun 1954

F-89B

Scorpion

Northrop

Jun 1951 – Mar 1953

F-89C

Scorpion

Northrop

Jan 1952 – Oct 1954

F-86D

Sabre

North American

Mar 1953 – Apr 1958

F-94C

Starfire

Lockheed

Mar 1953 – Feb 1959

F-89D

Scorpion

Northrop

Jan 1954 – Jul 1958

F-102A

Delta Dagger

Convair

Apr 1956 – 1977

F-89H

Scorpion

Northrop

Jun 1956 – Sep 1959

F-89J

Scorpion

Northrop

Jan 1957 – Dec 1960

F-86L

Sabre

North American

Oct 1956 – Jun 1960

F-104

Starfighter

Lockheed

Jan 1958 – Sep 1960

F-104

Starfighter

Lockheed

Apr 1963 – Dec 1969

F-101B

Voodoo

McDonnell

Jan 1959 – Sep 1982

F-106A

Delta Dart

Convair

May 1959 – 1987

F-4C, F-4D, F-4E

Phantom

McDonnell-Douglas

1959 – 1986

F-15A, F-15B

Eagle

McDonnell-Douglas

1982 – Present

CF-101

Voodoo

McDonnell

1959 – 1984

F-16

Fighting Falcon

General Dynamics

1987 – Present

CF-18

Hornet

McDonnell-Douglas

1985 – Present

F-22

Raptor

Lockheed-Martin

2008 – Present

Major Units Associated with NORAD

Unit Dates

Newfoundland Base Command 19 Jan 1941 – 1 Oct 1950

AAF/USAF Air Defense Command. – Re-activated USAF Air

Defense Command; re-designated USAF Aerospace Defense

Command on 15 January 1968.

26 Mar 1946 – Sep 1949

1 Jan 1951 – 31 Mar 1980

Continental Air Command 1 Dec 1948 – 1 Aug 1968

RCAF Air Defense Group 1 Dec 1948 – 1 Jun 1951

Eastern Air Defense Force and Western Air Defense Force 1 Sep 1949 – 1 Jan 1960

U.S. Northeast Air Command 1 Oct 1949 – 1 Apr 1957

Central Air Defense Force 1 Mar 1951 – 1 Jan 1960

RCAF Air Defense Command/Canadian Force Air Defense

Command. Re-designated Canadian Forces Air Command on

2 Sep 1975

1 Jun 1951 – Present

Army Anti-Aircraft Defense Command. – Re-designated Army Air

Defense Command on 21 March 1957.

1 Jul 1950 – 4 Jan 1975

Continental Air Defense Command 1 Sep 1954 – 30 Jun 1974

Naval Forces Continental Air Defense Command 1 Sep 1954 – 1 Sep 1965

Air Defense, Tactical Air Command 1 Oct 1979 – 1 Jul 1987

Alaskan NORAD Region (ANR) Feb 1962 – Present

Canadian NORAD Region (CANR) 22 Apr 1983 – Present

Continental US NORAD Region (CONR) 1 Oct 1986 – Present

United States Space Command 23 Sep 1985 – 1 Oct 2002

United States Northern Command 1 Oct 2002 – Present

NORAD/HO