COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- The North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command Joint Color Guard will represent the commands and the nation Feb. 3 by presenting the nation’s flag (ensign) during opening ceremonies prior to the start of Super Bowl XLII.
The Joint Color Guard team includes men and women from all branches of the U.S. military as well as representatives of Canadian Armed Forces.
According to Marine Gunnery Sgt. Shawn Moran, who, along with Sgt. 1st Class Marcus Porterfield is non-commissioned officer in charge of the Color Guard, “Every service member currently serving on the Joint Color Guard is setting an example for all to follow.”
Eight members of the team, along with one alternate, will attend festivities leading up to the Super Bowl, then participate in the game’s opening ceremony on Super Bowl Sunday.
“It is truly the chance of a lifetime. Of all the military personnel who were available for this event we were picked to represent our nation’s colors,” Moran said.
NORAD, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary in May, is the bi-national Canadian and American command responsible for the air defense of North America and maritime warning for Canada and the United States. NORAD aircraft will also participate in the Super Bowl, although perhaps unseen: NOAD is responsible for enforcing the game-day Temporary Flight Restriction Zone imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration over the stadium.
USNORTHCOM is the unified combatant command responsible for defending the homeland and providing defense support of civil authorities.