The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), known until 1981 as the North American Air Defense Command, is a joint United States-Canada organization. Its mission is to provide aerospace warning, air sovereignty, and protection for both nations.
1950: Establishment of the RCAF Ground Observer System
The RCAF established its "ground observer system, the Long Range Air Raid Warning System" in 1950.
December 1955: Birth of "NORAD Tracks Santa"
The "NORAD Tracks Santa" tradition originated in December 1955 as a lighthearted publicity effort by CONAD, NORAD's predecessor. It has since become a beloved annual event, capturing the holiday spirit.
1956: Joint Canadian-U.S. Military Group Recommends NORAD
The idea for NORAD originated from the Joint Canadian–U.S. Military Group, who put forward their recommendation for its formation in late 1956.
February 1957: Joint Chiefs of Staff Approves NORAD
In February 1957, the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff gave their approval for the establishment of the North American Air Defense Command (NORAD).
August 1957: NORAD Announced
The world learned about the creation of NORAD in August 1957.
September 1957: NORAD Command Headquarters Established
On September 12, 1957, the command headquarters for NORAD was established at Ent Air Force Base.
December 1958: NORAD Submits CADIN Plans
In December 1958, NORAD submitted two plans outlining the future of CADIN. These plans highlighted the projected expenditure for the initiative, which included funding for the Nike Zeus program and three Ballistic Missile Early Warning System (BMEWS) sites.
1958: Agreement on NORAD Leadership and Primary Purpose
In 1958, an agreement was reached between Canada and the U.S. regarding NORAD's leadership: the commander would always be a U.S. officer, with a Canadian vice commander. This agreement also established that NORAD's main objective was to provide early warning and defense for the Strategic Air Command's (SAC) retaliatory forces.
January 1959: United States Ground Observer Corps Deactivated
In January 1959, the United States Ground Observer Corps was deactivated.
January 1959: CADIN Cost-Sharing Agreement Signed
January 1959 saw a significant step in solidifying the Continental Air Defense Integration North (CADIN) initiative. Canada and the United States signed a cost-sharing agreement for the project, paving the way for the development of the Semi-Automatic Ground Environment air defense network.
August 1960: Cheyenne Mountain Bunker Mission Expands
August 1960 saw the planned mission of the Cheyenne Mountain nuclear bunker broaden significantly. It was decided that the bunker would also serve as a hardened center from which CINCNORAD would oversee and manage operations against not only air attacks but also attacks from space.
October 1960: Space Surveillance Responsibility Assigned to CONAD and NORAD
In a move that underscored the increasing importance of space, the Secretary of Defense, in October 1960, assigned the responsibility of operational command of all space surveillance to the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD). Operational control, however, was given to NORAD.
December 1960: Ent Air Force Base Space Detection and Tracking System Operational Control
In December 1960, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) placed the Ent Air Force Base Space Detection and Tracking System under the operational control of CINCNORAD.
September 1962: Sky Shield III Exercise Conducted
September 1962 saw the execution of "Sky Shield III," a joint SAC-NORAD exercise designed to simulate the penetration of NORAD sectors.
June 1963: President Kennedy Visits NORAD Headquarters
Following the U.S. Air Force Academy graduation ceremony on June 5, 1963, President John F. Kennedy paid a visit to NORAD headquarters.
1963: Completion of NORAD Bunker at CFB North Bay
The year 1963 marked the completion of a significant project - Canada's NORAD bunker at CFB North Bay, equipped with a SAGE AN/FSQ-7 Combat Direction Central computer, was finished. This bunker, constructed between 1959 and 1963, played a crucial role in providing data to NORAD and had the capacity to command the entire U.S. air defense system.
October 1964: NORAD Begins Manning Combat Operations Center at Cheyenne Mountain Complex
A significant milestone was reached on October 30, 1964, when NORAD began staffing the Combat Operations Center located within the Cheyenne Mountain Complex.
1965: NORAD Operations Involve 250,000 Personnel
By 1965, approximately 250,000 personnel from both the United States and Canada were involved in the operation of NORAD.
January 1966: Air Force Systems Command Hands Over COC to NORAD
On January 1, 1966, the Air Force Systems Command transferred control of the COC to NORAD.
February 1966: NORAD Cheyenne Mountain Complex Accepted
The NORAD Cheyenne Mountain Complex was officially accepted on February 8, 1966.
November 1968: U.S. Department of Defense Realignments for NORAD Begin
Starting on November 15, 1968, the United States Department of Defense initiated a series of realignments for the NORAD command organization. These realignments included changes within the Army Air Defense Command (ARADCOM).
1968: Unification of Canadian Forces Impacts NORAD Leadership
The year 1968 marked a significant change in NORAD's leadership structure. Prior to this year, the deputy commander was an RCAF air marshal. However, with the unification of the Canadian Forces in 1968, the role was designated to a Royal Canadian Air Force lieutenant general.
1972: Eight NORAD Regional Areas Established
By 1972, NORAD had established eight distinct regional areas dedicated to air defense.
November 1979: NORAD System Failure Causes False Nuclear Attack Warnings
On November 9, 1979, a technician at NORAD mistakenly loaded a test tape without switching the system status to "test." This error triggered a cascade of false warnings, which unfortunately spread to two "continuity of government" bunkers and command posts around the world.
December 1979: SAC Assumes Control of Ballistic Missile Warning and Space Surveillance Facilities
A significant shift in responsibilities took place on December 1, 1979, as the Strategic Air Command (SAC) assumed control of ballistic missile warning and space surveillance facilities from ADCOM. This move followed the recommendations outlined in the 1979 Joint US-Canada Air Defense Study.
1979: NORAD Cheyenne Mountain Complex Improvements Program Operational
The NORAD Cheyenne Mountain Complex Improvements Program, also known as the 427M System, became fully operational in 1979.
March 1980: Aerospace Defense Command Disbanded
The Aerospace Defense Command, as a major command, ceased to exist on March 31, 1980. Its organizations within Cheyenne Mountain were then designated as "ADCOM," operating under the same commander as NORAD. For instance, the Space Surveillance Center was manned by HQ NORAD/ADCOM J31.
June 1980: Computer Device Failures Cause Sporadic False Nuclear Attack Warnings
June 1980 saw two separate instances of NORAD system malfunctions. On both June 3 and June 6, a computer communications device failure led to intermittent flashes of warning messages at U.S. Air Force command posts worldwide, falsely indicating that a nuclear attack was underway.
March 1981: NORAD Renamed
In March 1981, NORAD was renamed to North American Aerospace Defense Command.
March 1981: NORAD Renamed to North American Aerospace Defense Command
March 1981 marked a significant moment in NORAD's history as it underwent a name change to North American Aerospace Defense Command.
1982: NORAD Off-site Test Facility Established at Peterson AFB
In 1982, a dedicated NORAD Off-site Test Facility was set up at Peterson AFB.
April 1983: Canadian NORAD Region Headquarters Established
On April 22, 1983, the Canadian NORAD Region Headquarters was established at CFB Winnipeg, Manitoba. The headquarters was tasked with the surveillance and control of Canadian airspace.
1983: Cheyenne Mountain in Popular Culture
The Cheyenne Mountain complex served as a prominent setting in the 1983 film "WarGames," showcasing its role in national defense to a wider audience.
September 1985: United States Space Command Established
September 1985 marked the establishment of the United States Space Command. While formed as an adjunct to NORAD, it was not considered a component of the organization.
1986: DEW Line Replacement Begins
The replacement of the aging Distant Early Warning (DEW) line sites began in 1986, marking a significant technological shift in North American air defense.
1989: NORAD Expands Operations to Counter-Drug Efforts
In 1989, NORAD broadened its mission to include counter-drug operations. This involved monitoring small aircraft entering and operating within the United States and Canada.
September 1990: First Air Force Takes Over Air Defense Mission
A key shift in responsibility occurred in September 1990 when the United States Air Force's First Air Force took on the air defense mission.
1995: North Warning System Replaces DEW Line
By 1995, the transition from the DEW line to the more advanced North Warning System was completed, enhancing NORAD's surveillance capabilities.
1996: CANR Renamed and Relocated
In 1996, CANR underwent a significant change - it was renamed to 1 Canadian Air Division and relocated to CFB Winnipeg.
September 11, 2001: CONR Leads Operation Noble Eagle
Following the tragic events of September 11, 2001, CONR assumed a leading role in Operation Noble Eagle, an ongoing mission to safeguard the continental United States from airborne attacks.
July 2006: Cheyenne Mountain Realignment Announced
In July 2006, NORAD revealed plans to shift its primary daily operations to Peterson Air Force Base while keeping Cheyenne Mountain on "warm standby" with a support staff.
2014: NORAD in "Interstellar"
The 2014 film "Interstellar" presented a fictionalized future where NORAD is dissolved and its Cheyenne Mountain headquarters repurposed for NASA's use.