In North America
In North America
The North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) is a bi-national United States and Canadian organization charged with the missions of aerospace warning and aerospace control for North America, as well as monitoring our respective maritime regions.
NORAD is a unique partnership in the world. After 50 years, it continues to play a vital role in ensuring the mutual security of our two nations.
The Air Force is the key component in Canada's contribution to NORAD. Approximately 300 Canadian Air Force personnel are based at various NORAD locations in the U.S., including NORAD Headquarters in Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado and at U.S. bases in Tinker, Oklahoma and Elmendorf, Alaska.
Mission
NORAD's mission is to deter, detect and defend against aerospace and maritime threats to North America.
Aerospace Warning
NORAD monitors man-made objects in space and watches for signs of attack against North America by aircraft, missiles or space vehicles.
A worldwide network of sensors gives NORAD an accurate picture of any aerospace threat, which the commander uses to advise the governments of Canada and the United States.
Aerospace Control
NORAD ensures air sovereignty and air defence of the airspace of Canada and the United States, using satellites, ground-based radar, airborne radar and fighters to detect, intercept and, if necessary, engage any air-breathing threat to North America.
NORAD also assists in the detection and monitoring of aircraft suspected of illegal drug trafficking and domestic air threats, in cooperation with civilian authorities.
Maritime Warning
In 2006, NORAD added a maritime warning mission, which entails a shared awareness and understanding of the activities conducted in U.S. and Canadian maritime approaches, maritime areas and inland waterways. This mission is currently under development.
NORAD's Regions
To ensure operational efficiency, NORAD had divided North America into three regions, each of which is responsible for monitoring and intercepting any threats within its area:
- Alaskan NORAD Region (ANR) , headquartered at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska, USA.
- Canadian NORAD Region (CANR) , headquartered at Canadian Forces Base in Winnipeg, Canada.
- Continental United States NORAD Region (CONR) , headquartered at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida, USA.
