The Premier of Manitoba, Gary Doer, and US Ambassador to Canada, David Wilkins, were among the hundreds who helped celebrate the 50th anniversary of the North American Aerospace Defence Command in Winnipeg.
On May 30, members from 1 Canadian Air Division and the Canadian NORAD Region Headquarters (1 Cdn Air Div/CANR HQ) formed a military parade on the grounds at the Manitoba Legislature. Marked with flypasts by the Snowbirds and two CF-18 Hornets, the parade was symbolic of the rich bi-national partnership shared in NORAD.
In a city just miles from the American border, a colour party with Canadian and US flags stood proudly, flanked by military members from both countries. The US Ambassador referred to NORAD as “the single most profound example” of partnership between the two countries, adding “No other countries can boast of a similar relationship.”
Major-General Marcel Duval, Commander of the Canadian NORAD Region, elaborated on the unique bi-national organization. “These American servicemen and women have been part of the Winnipeg population since the day we established the Canadian NORAD Region”, he said. 1 Cdn Air Div/CANR HQ was established in Winnipeg in 1997.
“At the HQ of the Canadian NORAD Region, we have a solid US community working side-by-side with their Canadian counterparts, performing the same functions, protecting the same people”, MGen Duval continued.
Lieutenant-General Charlie Bouchard is the Deputy Commander of NORAD, headquartered at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado. “[NORAD] is about the evolution of a unique relationship that has developed and matured over half a century,” he said. “It is about a culture of cooperation. It is about trust, respect and confidence.”
Perhaps the best example of that trust, respect and confidence came in the wake of the tragic events of September 11, 2001. At a time when all air traffic in North America was being ordered to the ground, a Canadian officer was in the command chair at NORAD headquarters. LGen Eric Findley, was Bouchard’s predecessor and was the key decision maker at NORAD that day.
LGen Bouchard used this example to highlight the relationship, which has lasted half a century, “Under what other agreements would you imagine one country letting an officer from another country make key decisions about its own national security.”
The celebration at the Manitoba Legislature was a fitting tribute to the bi-national command’s Golden Jubilee. More fittingly, it was held in a city where strong Canadian and US relations remain a focal point and where CANR is headquartered.
Although NORAD was created in 1957, May, 12, 1958 is recognized as the date when the formal NORAD agreement was signed by Canada and the U.S. Originally know as the “North American Air Defense Command,” NORAD underwent a name change in 1981 in order to reflect the growing importance of space defence and missile warning.
NORAD continues the Golden Jubilee celebration throughout 2008. Aside from the celebrations it has held in Colorado Springs and Winnipeg, there will be many more opportunities to celebrate.
The CF-18 National Demonstration Team bears a NORAD 50th Anniversary paint theme on its tail. This jet will be dazzling audiences across North America throughout the 2008 air show season. A NORAD 50th Anniversary display will also appear at various events throughout the year. Show locations and dates for the CF-18 National Demonstration Team can be found at www.airforce.forces.gc.ca. For additional information about the NORAD 50th anniversary and special events, visit www.norad.mil/50.