A Global War Or An Intercontinental Nuclear Exchange Is Highly Unlikel

A global war or an intercontinental nuclear exchange is highly unlikely in the current world political climate. But as long as considerable nuclear weapons and long range delivery systems exist in other countries and a developing threat resides with potential adversaries, the possibility of an aerospace attack on North America cannot be discounted. Furthermore, the proliferation of cruise and ballistic missiles, and weapons of mass destruction, has made the post-Cold War world more, rather than less, dangerous. New generations of these weapons may be in the hands of governments or organizations which could threaten the North American continent, or American and Canadian military personnel deployed around the world. Control of North America's airspace is challenged by those who violate the air sovereignty of Canada and the United States. In addition, weapons proliferation coupled with an increasingly unstable world, increases the importance of effective aerospace warning. Benefits The greatest benefit the Canadian and US governments derive from NORAD is their ability to share the resources and costs needed for aerospace security. It would be militarily impractical, as well as inefficient, for each nation to unilaterally perform NORAD's missions and functions. In Canada's case, although aerospace control would be possible, the mission of air defense in depth would be difficult due to the country's large land mass and relatively small defense force. Further, Canada depends entirely on US systems to provide warning of ballistic missile attack, both at home and at overseas locations where deployed Canadian military personnel could be threatened. Although other US military organizations could assume many of NORAD's tasks in aerospace warning, the increased costs and operational difficulties would be compounded by the loss of efficiency that is obtained through cross-border cooperation. In addition, the US benefits from the ability to receive early warning information from radars along Canada's northern tier. This improves the US'' capability to provide timely warning for air launched cruise missile attacks and to initiate defensive measures. Other benefits to both nations include shared intelligence and technology, joint strategic planning for defense, and a long tradition of binational cooperation and friendship. NORAD/Command Relationships The Commander in Chief NORAD (CINCNORAD) is responsible to the governments of both Canada and the United States for the aerospace defense of North America. CINCNORAD may be either a Canadian or American general, but has historically been an American. CINCNORAD reports directly to the Prime Minister of Canada through the Canadian Chief of Defence Staff, and to the US President and Secretary of Defense through the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Canada and the United States decide individually what forces to make available to CINCNORAD to enable him to carry out NORAD''s missions. CINCNORAD exercises operational control over the Canadian and US forces made available by both countries. For example, CINCNORAD controls US and Canadian radars and air defense fighters to safeguard North America''s air sovereignty and to defend against air attack. CINCNORAD is also supported by other commands. As a case in point, United States Space Command provides NORAD with surveillance and warning information to carry out NORAD''s aerospace warning mission. Because timely and accurate warning information plays such a key role in NORAD accomplishing its missions, whenever CINCNORAD is a US officer he is dual-hatted as Commander in Chief of US Space Command (USCINCSPACE). This helps to ensure rapid passage of warning information from USSPACECOM to NORAD. Forces and Funding The Canadian and US governments fund NORAD forces through their respective military budgets and each nation provides its own funding for the forces it contributes to the Command. These arrangements provide maximum flexibility for each government. Except for NORAD Headquarters itself, all forces, surveillance systems, and infrastructure are owned, operated and maintained by other military commands such as Air Combat Command in the United States or Air Command (as of mid-1997, 1 Canadian Air Division) in Canada. These forces and systems frequently are shared with other users, with only a portion of their costs being directly attributable to NORAD. Enhanced Effectiveness and Efficiency NORAD continually studies and implements measures designed to streamline operations while performing its critical missions. For example, NORAD has initiated a flexible fighter alert concept. This concept allows NORAD Region Commanders to tailor their aerospace control forces and alert postures to meet the perceived