NORAD NEWS

A man in a Canadian uniform stands at a microphone on a lectern.

Aug. 20, 2020

Leaders Extol U.S., Canadian Cooperation in Defense of North America

Top U.S. and Canadian defense leaders applauded the combined efforts of the North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command in defending the continent as leadership of the two commands changed hands.

commander salutes a general officer

Aug. 11, 2020

Historical moment as Humphrey assumes command of WADS

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. — For the first time in the Western Air Defense Sector’s history, a prior enlisted WADS Airman becomes the new Title 10 commander. Col. Scott C. Humphrey assumed command during a virtual assumption of command ceremony Aug. 6, 2020, in the WADS conference room located at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.

Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18 and United States Air Force F-16s participate in binational NORAD air defence exercise conducted over the Greater Toronto Area on July 30, 2020.(Photo courtesy of CANR Public Affairs)

Aug. 6, 2020

Le NORAD vole au-dessus de Toronto pour un exercice de l’opération NOBLE EAGLE

WINNIPEG, Manitoba — Jeudi 30 juillet 2020, des CF-18 Hornet de l’Aviation royale canadienne, des F-16 de l’USAF (force aérienne des États-Unis) et un avitailleur KC-135 ont participé à un entraînement aérien du Commandement de la défense aérospatiale de l'Amérique du Nord (NORAD) au-dessus de la région du Grand Toronto.

Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18 and United States Air Force F-16s participate in binational NORAD air defence exercise conducted over the Greater Toronto Area on July 30, 2020.(Photo courtesy of CANR Public Affairs)

Aug. 6, 2020

NORAD takes to the skies over Toronto in Operation NOBLE EAGLE exercise

WINNIPEG, Manitoba — On Thursday, July 30, 2020, Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) CF-18 Hornets and United States Air Force (USAF) F-16s along with a KC-135 refuelling tanker participated in a North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) training operation in the skies over the Greater Toronto Area.

(From left) Incoming 1 Canadian Air Division/Canadian NORAD Region Commander Major-General Eric Kenny, Royal Canadian Air Force Commander Lieutenant-General Al Meinzinger, and outgoing 1 CAD/CANR Commander Lieutenant-General Alain Pelletier prepare to sign 1 CAD Change of Command scrolls during a ceremony at 17 Wing Winnipeg, Manitoba, July 6, 2020.

July 24, 2020

1 Canadian Air Division welcomes new commander

WINNIPEG, Manitoba — The change of command ceremony for 1 Canadian Air Division/Canadian North American Aerospace Defense Command Region -- held in Winnipeg, Manitoba, July 6 and streamed live on Royal Canadian Air Force social media -- saw Major-General Eric Kenny succeed Lieutenant-General Alain Pelletier as the new Commander of 1 CAD/CANR, Joint Force Air Component Commander, and Trenton Search and Rescue Region.

A CC-150T Husky Tanker during a NORAD, Yellowknife, North West Territory, June 14, 2020.

July 24, 2020

CC-150 Polaris tanker fleet reaches NORAD milestone

TRENTON, Ontario — The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and the Canadian NORAD Region (CANR) achieved initial operating capability for their fleet of CC-150 Polaris air-to-air refuelling tankers, operated by 437 Transport Squadron, from Trenton, Ontario, on July 1, 2020.

Gillespie is Airman of the Year

July 23, 2020

EADS Staff Sergeant is NORAD Airman of the Year

Staff Sgt. Gary Gillespie is NORAD's Outstanding Junior Enlisted Airman for 2019

Pugh is Honor Guard Member of the Year

July 23, 2020

EADS Staff Sergeant is ANG Honor Guard Member of Year

Staff Sgt. Edward Pugh, ANG Honor Guard Member of the Year

Members of 4 Wing, Cold Lake, Alberta, stand in front of a newly assembled Expeditionary Forces Aircraft Shelter System (EFASS) and a Mobile Support Shelter – Aircraft (MSS – A), in the fall of 2019.

June 23, 2020

Un séminaire sur la puissance aérienne « agile » du NORAD virtuel

WINNIPEG, Manitoba — Au sein de l’Aviation royale canadienne (ARC), on dit souvent que « la flexibilité est la clé de la puissance aérienne ». C’est exactement ce que des membres des Forces armées canadiennes (FAC) et du Département de la Défense des États-Unis ainsi que d’autres intervenants ont pu constater le matin du 27 mai 2020 en assistant virtuellement au plus récent de la série des séminaires sur la puissance aérienne dans l’Arctique, qui ont été renommés les Séminaires sur la puissance aérienne fondée sur le positionnement agile interarmées (Joint Agile Basing Air Power Seminar [JABAS]).

Members of 4 Wing, Cold Lake, Alberta, stand in front of a newly assembled Expeditionary Forces Aircraft Shelter System (EFASS) and a Mobile Support Shelter – Aircraft (MSS – A), in the fall of 2019.

June 23, 2020

NORAD Agile Airpower Seminar Goes Virtual

WINNIPEG, Manitoba — In the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), we often say ‘flexibility is the key to Air Power,’ and this was no different on the morning of May 27, 2020, when members of the Canadian Armed Forces, the United States Department of Defense, and other stakeholders virtually convened the latest edition of the series of Arctic Air Power Seminars, renamed to become: Joint Agile Basing Air Power Seminar, or JABAS.

A B-52H Stratofortress deployed from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., arrives at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, to conduct Bomber Task Force operations, June 14, 2020. Strategic bomber missions demonstrate the credibility of our forces to address a diverse and uncertain security environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lillian Miller)

June 15, 2020

B-52s deploy to Alaska, demonstrate global agility

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii — U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress bombers returned to the Indo-Pacific region June 14 to conduct bomber task force operations out of Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska.

Florida Air National Guard F-15s from the 125th Fighter Wing, Jacksonville, Florida, conducted a North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) mission, defending the skies over the Kennedy Space Center during the first manned space launch in nearly nine years, Cape Canaveral, Florida, May 30, 2020.

June 3, 2020

NORAD supports first U.S. manned space launch in nine years

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. — Florida Air National Guard F-15 fighters and U.S. Coast Guard MH-65 helicopters operating under NORAD’s Continental U.S. Region, along with its interagency partners, ensured safe skies for the first U.S. manned space launch since 2011 on Saturday, May 30. “As the nation geared up to watch the first manned space launch since 2011, you can rest assured that the men and women of NORAD were on watch guarding the skies overhead,” said Lt. Gen. Marc Sasseville, commander, Continental U.S. NORAD Region. “Our continuous exercise and training programs allow us to sharpen our skills in preparation for significant events, such as this space launch.”

Fighter jet lands on USS Harry S. Truman

May 29, 2020

USNORTHCOM Leads Major Homeland Defense Exercise

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. — Gen. Terrence O’Shaughnessy, commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command and United States Northern Command, visited the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) in the Atlantic Ocean May 29, 2020, to witness first-hand the multi-combatant command homeland defense exercise.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Rachel Yandon, a radio frequency transmission systems apprentice assigned to the 225th Support Squadron, Washington Air National Guard, wears a face mask like the ones she donated to mission essential personnel of the Western Air Defense Sector May 7, 2020. Yandon also sewed and donated 150 masks to an Alabama hospital.

May 19, 2020

WADS Airman sews 150 masks for Alabama hospital workers

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. – A Washington Air National Guard member from the Western Air Defense Sector (WADS) sewed 150 protective cloth masks and sent them to a hospital in Alabama.Staff Sgt.

A U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 100th Air Refueling Wing, RAF Mildenhall, England, during a strategic bomber mission, May 7, 2020. Strategic bomber missions familiarize aircrew with air bases and operations in different Geographic Combatant Commands areas of operations.

May 14, 2020

NORAD Conducts Bomber Intercept Exercise with U.S. Strategic Command

North American Aerospace Defense Command conducted an air defense exercise that included an intercept of U.S. Strategic Command bombers on May 11 to demonstrate the air defense capabilities of Canada and the United States.

A Washington D.C., Air National Guard F-16 Fighting returns from a training mission April 3, 2012, at Joint Base Andrews, Md. The D.C. ANG provides air sovereignty forces to defend the nation's capital, and also provides fighter, airlift and support forces capable of local, national and global employment.

May 11, 2020

U.S. and Canadian personnel help secure the skies over the National Capital Region

Tyndall AFB — As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, U.S. and Canadian members from the Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command Region are supporting homeland defense operations at the Joint Air

Secretary of Defense Mark Esper visit to NORAD and USNORTHCOM

May 8, 2020

Secretary of Defense visits NORAD, NORTHCOM

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. — The Secretary of Defense visited the North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command here May 7, 2020. 

U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors, E-3 Sentrys, C-17 Globemaster IIIs, C-130J Herculeses and C-12F Hurons participate in a close formation taxi known as an elephant walk at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, May 5, 2020. This event displayed the ability of the 3rd Wing, 176th Wing and the 477th Fighter Group to maintain constant readiness throughout COVID-19 by Total Force Integration between active-duty, Guard and Reserve units to continue defending the U.S. homeland and ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific.

May 7, 2020

Airpower demo showcases mission readiness, total force integration

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska — Airmen and aircraft from across Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson participated in a “Moose Walk” and integrated training event here and at the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex, or JPARC, May 5.

Ms. Julie Kitka, president of the Alaska Federation of Natives shows the Commander’s Public Service Award given her by Lt. Gen. Thomas A. Bussiere, former commander of Alaskan North American Aerospace Defense Command Region, Alaskan Command, and Eleventh Air Force April 16, 2020, at Anchorage, Alaska. The award showcased Kitka’s dedication to the bridging of cultural differences and ceaseless efforts directly supported the Department of Defense’s Arctic Strategy and National Security interests.

April 30, 2020

ALASKAN NORAD COMMAND REGION, ALASKAN COMMAND, AND ELEVENTH AIR FORCE COMMANDER PRESENTS PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Lt. Gen. Thomas A. Bussiere, former commander of Alaskan North American Aerospace Defense Command Region, Alaskan Command, and Eleventh Air Force presented Julie Kitka, president of the Alaska Federation of Natives, a significant award, here on April 16, 2020.

A bi-national Canadian and American command, NORAD employs a network of space-based, aerial and ground-based sensors, air-to-air refueling tankers and fighter aircraft, controlled by a sophisticated command and control network to deter, detect and defend against aerial threats that originate outside or within North American airspace.

April 28, 2020

Canadian and U.S. forces conduct bi-national air defense exercise

Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. — Members of NORAD’s Continental U.S. (CONR) and Canadian (CANR) Regions participated in a bi-national air defense exercise amid the global COVID-19 pandemic, April 23rd, 2020, near the U.S. and

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