[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 63 (Wednesday, April 18, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2267-S2268]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 475--COMMEMORATING THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NORTH 
                   AMERICAN AEROSPACE DEFENSE COMMAND

  Mr. GARDNER (for himself and Mr. Bennet) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 475

       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 
     history, values, economy, environment, and resolve to improve 
     the lives people of both countries, 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 shared values of both countries;
       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 binational 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 binational 
     military command;
       Whereas the North American Aerospace Defense Command is 
     headquartered at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado Springs, 
     Colorado, with--
       (1) 3 subordinate region headquarters located at--
          (A) Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, for the Alaskan 
     NORAD Region;
          (B) Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, for the Continental 
     NORAD Region; and
          (C) Canadian Forces Base Winnipeg, Manitoba, for the 
     Canadian NORAD Region; and
       (2) 3 subordinate sector command centers at--
          (A) Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, for the 
     Western Air Defense Sector;
          (B) Rome, New York, for the Eastern Air Defense Sector; 
     and
          (C) Canadian Forces Base North Bay, Ontario, for the 
     Canadian Air Defense Sector;
       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 current operations center of United States Northern 
     Command are 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, Colorado, 
     hosts the Alternate Command Center for both 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 
     detects, intercepts, and, if necessary, engages air domain 
     threats to North America using--
       (1) a network of space-based and ground-based sensors;
       (2) airborne radars, fighters, and helicopters; and
       (3) ground-based air defense systems;
       Whereas the Agreement Between the Government of the United 
     States and the Government of Canada on the North American 
     Aerospace Defense Command, done at Ottawa April 28, 2006 
     (TIAS 06-512), added a maritime warning mission to the slate 
     of responsibilities of the North American Aerospace Defense 
     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;

[[Page S2268]]

       Whereas the outstanding service of United States and 
     Canadian servicemembers from Active Duty and Reserve 
     Component forces and civilians serving at 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.

                          ____________________