Exhibit Depicts Command's Missions, Which Began In 1957
The Defense Department unveiled a corridor in the Pentagon
Wednesday bedecked with photos, quotes and historical passages
centering on the foundation of the U.S.-Canadian defense
relationship: the North American Aerospace Defense Command, better
known as NORAD.
For more than half a century, this bilateral command has been
responsible for keeping the skies over the two countries -- and,
increasingly, the waters surrounding them -- safe from a myriad of
potential enemies, from the Cold War Soviet threat to present-day
terrorists. "The chronology brings you up through the creation of
NORAD and the adaptations made as our security environment has
evolved through the decades," Air Force Gen. Victor E. Renuart said
of the dozen chronologically arranged glass panel palettes on which
the history of the command is displayed. "As the 20th commander of
NORAD, I'm proud to dedicate this corridor to the selfless service
of the men and women of NORAD, past, present and future."
The exhibit depicts the command's missions in the air and space
domains that began in 1957 -- and the recent additions of the
maritime and missile warning systems that bolster the command's
ability to safeguard North America. Speaking from a hallway housed
in a building that hijackers struck less than a decade ago during
the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Renuart underscored the
importance of having a robust NORAD defense. "The ongoing
adaptation of NORAD's mission and capabilities to meet the
challenges posed by ever-changing threats testifies to the strength
of the NORAD agreement and the solid relationship between Canada
and the U.S.," he said. "The strength of the NORAD relationship has
enabled it to serve as an extremely flexible framework, one that
adapts to an evolving security environment."
(L-R) Michèle Flournoy (DOD), General
Gene Renuart, Ambassador Gary Doer (Canada)
Photo Credit Juan Tricoche
Canadian Ambassador to the United States Gary Doer, who joined
defense officials in the ribbon-cutting ceremony, said the exhibit
is emblematic of the strong partnership between the two nations and
it also serves as a reminder of the dedicated personnel at NORAD.
It is an honor for all of us Canadians having this display here at
the Pentagon," Doer told the audience of Canadian and American
military personnel and civilians. "The great bi-national
coordination will evolve in the future."
In a military headquarters that serves as office space to tens
of thousands of employees -- many of whom always seem to be pressed
for time -- this new Pentagon corridor should give them reason to
pause and its tributes should inspire reflection, the Pentagon's
top policy official said. "All of us who work in the Pentagon,
including myself, get caught up in the work we do day to day, and
we run from meeting to meeting, and we often speed through these
hallways like we're running a race," Under Secretary of Defense for
Policy Michele Flournoy said. "But this corridor should be a
reminder to us all to, on occasion, slow down."
NORAD Commander General Gene Renuart
Photo Credit Juan Tricoche
The ceremony comes a month after Canadian Defense Minister Peter
MacKay met at the Pentagon with Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates
to discuss bilateral defense topics. Officials from both countries
have touted the recent Olympic Games in Vancouver, British
Columbia, as a highlight of the bilateral cooperation between the
United States and Canada. They also noted the two nations will work
together on security issues related to the G-8 and G-20 summits to
be hosted in Canada.
The NORAD corridor is located at the "A" ring on the Pentagon's
third floor between corridors 10 and 1.