COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Canada’s Minister of Defence, the honorable Peter MacKay and Commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command, General Gene Renuart made history this morning, seating a time capsule into a rock from Cheyenne Mountain, home of the Cheyenne Mountain Air Station and the historic NORAD operations center to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the signing of the original NORAD agreement.
Although NORAD originally stood up at Ent Air Force Base in Colorado Springs on Sept. 12, 1957, the official NORAD agreement between the governments of Canada and the United States was signed on May 12, 1958. On that date, the governments of Canada and the United States formally acknowledged their mutual commitment to defending their citizens from air attacks, which was later modified to aerospace attacks in a later, revised agreement.
“The rock … that we’re about to unveil is so symbolic of the ‘rock solid’ relationship between the United States and Canada,” said MacKay. “Granite rock, symbolic of protection, of safety, of something unshakeable; and the capsule itself is yet another symbol of the important and successful Canada – U.S. partnership.
“Among other things, two items that will be placed in the capsule include the NORAD Agreement, now renewed indefinitely between our two countries and a lifetime of history for NORAD. Both speak to the fastness of our nations’ commitment to each other,” he said. “These symbols speak to our determination to stand up to those who would do us harm.
“Our long cooperation here at Colorado Springs has always been about providing the best possible defense, deterrence and protection for our citizens. That responsibility is as great today as it was 50 years ago,” said MacKay. “What’s important is that we fulfill this mutual responsibility together, Canadians and Americans, residents of the same continental home.”
Time capsule contents include a proclamation letter from the State of Colorado, copies of letters sent to Gen. Renuart from the President of the United States and the Prime Minister of Canada, commander and deputy coins from NORAD, NOAD 50th Anniversary promotional products photos capturing NORAD past and present and much more.
NORAD is the bi-national command responsible for aerospace warning and defense as well as maritime detection and warning for the United States and Canada. NORAD is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
USNORTHCOM is the U.S. command responsible for homeland defense and defense support of civil authorities in time of disaster.
For more information about the 50th anniversary of NORAD, please visit www.norad.mil/50.