Bennet, Gardner Resolution Celebrating NORAD’s 60th Anniversary Passes Senate

Washington, D.C. – A Senate Resolution introduced by U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Cory Gardner (R-CO) passed the Senate on Wednesday. The Resolution is in celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). NORAD, which is headquartered at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, provides aerospace and maritime warning for the entire North American continent. NORAD will formally celebrate the anniversary during a showcase of events on May 11th and 12th in Colorado Springs.

“As the world’s only binational command, NORAD is a model for collective defense,” Bennet said. “The vigilant work of the men and women of NORAD is critical to the security of North America. We will continue to support NORAD’s mission as it evolves to meet our changing security environment in the decades to come.”

“Coloradans are proud of our state’s military heritage and the work NORAD carries out for our national security,” Gardner said. “Sixty years of defending this nation is a remarkable achievement that should not go unnoticed. I’ll continue to do everything I can in Congress to help support the critical work they do each day.

Full Text of Resolution

Whereas 2018 marks the 60th anniversary of the creation of the North American Aerospace Defense Command, commonly referred to as “NORAD”;

Whereas the United States and Canada, bound together by our history, our values, our economy, our environment, and our resolve to improve the lives of our citizens, have long enjoyed a close relationship that has allowed for continuous collaboration, building a prosperous future for the people of both countries;

Whereas the United States and Canada have stood shoulder to shoulder in defense of peace and security for more than 100 years, as partners and allies in World War I, World War II, the Korean War, throughout the Cold War, in Afghanistan, and as part of the Global Coalition against Daesh, working together to advance our shared values;

Whereas, as indispensable allies in the defense of North America, on May 12, 1958, the United States and Canada signed an official agreement creating the bi-national North American Aerospace Defense Command and formally acknowledged the mutual commitment of both countries to defend their citizens from air domain attacks;

Whereas this cooperation is an important element of United States and Canadian contributions to the collective defense provided by the members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization;

Whereas the North American Aerospace Defense Command enjoys a unique status as the only fully integrated bi-national military command;

Whereas the North American Aerospace Defense Command is headquartered at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado Springs, Colorado, with three subordinate region headquarters located at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, for the Alaskan NORAD Region (ANR); Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, for the Continental NORAD Region (CONR); and Canadian Forces Base Winnipeg, Manitoba, for the Canadian NORAD Region (CANR), along with three subordinate sector command centers at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, for the Western Air Defense Sector (WADS); Rome, New York, for the Eastern Air Defense Sector (EADS); and Canadian Forces Base North Bay, Ontario, for the Canadian Air Defense Sector (CADS);

Whereas the missions of the North American Aerospace Defense Command are to provide aerospace warning, aerospace control, and maritime warning to defend North America;

Whereas the North American Aerospace Defense Command and the United States Northern Command current operations center is connected to a worldwide system of sensors that provides the Commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command with a common operating picture of aerospace and maritime threats;

Whereas the Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station hosts the Alternate Command Center for the North American Aerospace Defense Command and United States Northern Command;

Whereas the Commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command provides integrated tactical warning and attack assessments to the Government of the United States and the Government of Canada;

Whereas the North American Aerospace Defense Command uses a network of space-based and ground-based sensors; airborne radars, fighters, and helicopters; and ground-based air defense systems to detect, intercept, and, if necessary, engage air domain threats to North America;

Whereas the May 2006 renewal of the North American Aerospace Defense Command Agreement added a maritime warning mission to the slate of responsibilities of the Command, which entails a shared awareness and understanding of the ongoing activities conducted in United States and Canadian maritime approaches, maritime areas, and inland waterways;

Whereas the North American Aerospace Defense Command provides continuous surveillance and defense of North American airspace from further airborne aggression or attack, as occurred on September 11, 2001, through the ongoing Operation NOBLE EAGLE mission;

Whereas the North American Aerospace Defense Command will continue to evolve to address the ever-changing nature of the threats to North America and adapt to future shared security interests;

Whereas the outstanding service of United States and Canadian servicemembers from Active Duty and Reserve Component forces and civilians serving at the North American Aerospace Defense Command is central to the ability of North America to confront and successfully defeat aerospace threats of the 21st century; and

Whereas the continuation of this successful relationship between the United States and Canada through the North American Aerospace Defense Command is paramount to the future security of the people of the United States and Canada: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate—

   (1) recognizes the contributions made by the North American Aerospace Defense Command to the security of North America;

   (2) commemorates 60 years of excellence and distinctive service by the men and women of the North American Aerospace Defense Command;

   (3) reaffirms the critical missions of the North American Aerospace Defense Command headquartered at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado Springs, Colorado; and

   (4) supports the role of the North American Aerospace Defense Command in providing binational defense of the United States and Canada in the 21st century.