US Air Force,
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE: The Continental U.S. NORAD Region, known as CONR, reached a significant milestone June 8 as the 50,000th Operation Noble Eagle sortie conducted over the continental United States was flown locally over South Carolina.
Two F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 20th Fighter Wing at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., took off at around 11 p.m. EDT for the landmark Operation Noble Eagle sortie.
The overall Operation Noble Eagle sortie count for the continental United States as well as Alaska and Hawaii is more than 51,500. The Continental U.S. NORAD Region is responsible for a considerable portion of those missions and represents a substantial contribution to homeland air defense and the war on terrorism.
Operation Noble Eagle's mission is to protect the homeland from air threats, and if necessary, eliminate threats that endanger the public or critical infrastructure in the United States.
Current air defense operations are threat driven and take into account the improvements in air security that has taken place since Sept. 11, 2001, said Maj. Gen. Hank Morrow, CONR commander.
“These 50,000 flights are a symbol to the nation of the service, dedication and talent of the men and women who serve as part of the Continental U.S. NORAD Region's continuing mission. We have been working every day since 9/11 to support local, state and federal law enforcement agencies in providing a safe and secure nation,” General Morrow said.
The sorties are closely controlled to ensure public safety while displaying the North American Aerospace Defense, or NORAD's, rapid response capability. Under NORAD, the Continental U.S. NORAD Region, has conducted air patrols throughout the U.S. since the start of Operation Noble Eagle — the command's response to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
Although not always a response to any specific threat, the sorties are an element in the overall homeland defense mission.
“We continue to look both inward and outward to help ensure our liberty as we defend the homeland,” General Morrow said. “CONR is continually working with senior federal and state officials to deter any potential air threat.”
