On May 12, 1958, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) was formally established through an agreement between the United States and Canada. NORAD became — and remains — the cornerstone of continental air defense and aerospace warning.
NORAD was created at the height of the Cold War, when the threat of Soviet nuclear bombers and, later, ballistic missiles made a unified North American aerospace defense command not just logical but essential. Operating from the famous Cheyenne Mountain complex in Colorado, NORAD monitors every aircraft, missile, and space object that approaches North American airspace.
Today, NORAD's mission has expanded to include defense against cruise missiles, space surveillance, and even maritime warning. But its roots are firmly in the Cold War aviation era — a time when interceptor pilots stood ready around the clock to scramble against inbound threats.
NORAD also holds a beloved spot in pop culture as the command that tracks Santa Claus on Christmas Eve — a tradition that began in 1955 after a misprinted phone number in a newspaper ad led children to call NORAD's predecessor, CONAD, asking about Santa.
NORAD has kept the skies safe for decades. At Cleared4Tees, we honor every aviator who stands that watch.
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Blue skies and tailwinds — The Cleared4Tees Crew ✈️
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