North American Aerospace Defense Command facts for kids

Quick facts for kids North American Aerospace Defense Command
Crest of North American Aerospace Defense Command
Founded	12 May 1958 (67 years, 1 month)
Country	United States of America  Canada
Type	Binational Command
Role	The North American Aerospace Defense Command conducts aerospace warning, aerospace control and maritime warning in the defense of North America.
Headquarters	Peterson AFB, Colorado Springs, Colorado, U.S.
Commanders
Commander	General Terrence J. O’Shaughnessy, USAF
Deputy Commander	Lieutenant-General Christopher J. Coats, RCAF
Chief of Staff	Major General Richard J. Gallant, USA
Command Senior Enlisted Leader	SgtMaj Paul McKenna, USMC

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) is a special team made up of people from both Canada and the United States. Their main job is to watch over the skies and waters of North America. They make sure everyone is safe from threats from above or from the sea.

NORAD was started on May 12, 1958. Back then, it was called the North American Air Defense Command. A very important place for NORAD is the Cheyenne Mountain Operations Center in Colorado. Because of this, some people sometimes call NORAD "Cheyenne Mountain."

What Does NORAD Do?

NORAD has three main jobs to help protect North America. These jobs are aerospace warning, aerospace control, and maritime warning.

Aerospace Warning

Aerospace warning means NORAD constantly watches for anything flying in or near North American airspace. This includes planes, missiles, or even objects in space. They use powerful radars and satellites to keep track of everything. Their goal is to spot anything unusual or threatening very quickly. This way, leaders can be warned right away.

Aerospace Control

Aerospace control is about making sure only authorized aircraft are flying in North American airspace. If an unknown or unauthorized aircraft enters, NORAD can identify it. They can then guide military planes to check it out. This helps keep the skies safe and secure.

Maritime Warning

Maritime warning is a newer part of NORAD's job. It means they also watch the waters around North America. They look for anything unusual or threatening coming from the sea. This helps protect coastlines and ships.

Where is NORAD Located?

NORAD's main headquarters is at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado. However, a very famous part of NORAD is the Cheyenne Mountain Complex. This is a huge underground bunker built inside a mountain. It is designed to be very strong and protected.

The Cheyenne Mountain Complex has giant blast doors. These doors weigh 25 tons each! They are built to protect the people and equipment inside. This complex helps NORAD keep working even in very difficult situations.

NORAD Tracks Santa

Every year on Christmas Eve, NORAD does something special. They run a program called "NORAD Tracks Santa." This program tracks Santa Claus as he leaves the North Pole. It shows children around the world where Santa is delivering presents.

This fun tradition started by accident in 1955. A local newspaper printed a phone number for children to call Santa. But the number was wrong! It was actually the phone number for the Continental Air Defense Command (NORAD's earlier name). The commander on duty, Colonel Harry Shoup, told his staff to give children updates on Santa's location. This kind act started a beloved holiday tradition. Today, many volunteers help make "NORAD Tracks Santa" possible.

Images for kids

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  NORAD Regions and Sectors

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  The 25-ton North blast door in the Cheyenne Mountain nuclear bunker is the main entrance to another blast door (background) beyond which the side tunnel branches into access tunnels to the main chambers.

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  The North Warning System as envisioned by Canada and the US in 1987.

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  NORAD/USNORTHCOM Alternate Command Center prior to the Cheyenne Mountain Realignment.

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  1955 Sears ad with the misprinted telephone number that led to the NORAD Tracks Santa Program. NORAD Tracks Santa follows Santa Claus' Christmas Eve journey around the world.

See also

In Spanish: NORAD para niños