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 Defense Operations Center in the National Capital Region.
“The men and women of NORAD have the watch,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Marc Sasseville, commander, NORAD’s Continental U.S. Region. “From fighter, tanker, and rotary wing units sitting alert, to ground-based air defense, to command and control…we remain vigilant and dedicated to performing our no fail homeland defense mission.”
NORAD utilizes “24/7/365 multi-layered air defense systems to protect the skies over the National Capital Region” and the JADOC is a part of that, according to U.S. Army Lt. Col. Greg Rogers, JADOC Task Force Deputy Commander.
Comprised of Title-10 Army National Guardsmen and Title-32 New York Air National Guardsmen, as well as civilian personnel, the JADOC tracks and monitors all aircraft that approach the U.S. National Capital Region airspace.
“Current global conditions required that the JADOC, along with most other military organizations, restructure our staff to ensure the health and safety of our people,” said U.S. Army Col. Shane Hartley, JADOC Task Force Commander. “CONR and the two air defense sectors augmenting our staff eases the burden on our force and ensures the air sovereignty of the skies over the National Capital Region. This longstanding partnership and cooperation amongst the Army, the Air Force, and our Canadian Servicemen and Women results in seamless transition for joint mission assurance.”
As the JADOC continues to execute its no-fail mission, and to keep a healthy, responsive force during COVID-19, members of the JADOC have been sequestered by crew to ensure 100 percent mission assurance. Members continue to practice social distancing, proper hygiene, regularly wiping down work stations, and exercising personal protective gear wear measures.
All safety measures have been adopted to protect service members to ensure success of the NORAD mission. Hartley went on to say that he is astounded daily by the commitment of the men and women of the JADOC to protecting the homeland, especially through times of crisis like COVID-19.