NORAD doesn't rely on Canadian backing

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Apr 8, 2005 | by PAM ZUBECK THE GAZETTE

The binational command that monitors attacks against North America won't be affected by Canada's decision not to participate in missile defense, its commander said Thursday.

Adm. Timothy Keating, speaking to the 21st National Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, said Canada's refusal "does not affect my ability to execute the task."

Nor does the decision affect the future of the North American Aerospace Defense Command, based in Colorado Springs, Keating said.

He said he disagrees with a national security expert who told The Gazette last month that Canada's decision to opt out of missile defense could stymie talks for renewing the agreement, which expires in May 2006, and that if NORAD doesn't grow, it will die.

"I don't think it's accurate, necessarily," Keating said. "We've been at it for nearly 50 years. We're not going to let NORAD wither and die. Will it look different five years from today than it looks now? I would hope."

Keating said the United States wants to add maritime surveillance to NORAD's traditional workload of watching air and land.

Also, he said, "We need to consider cyber. We need to consider space. So NORAD may take on a slightly different mission statement.

"We're considering a broad range of possibilities as we go through the NORAD renewal negotiation process," he said. "We're just beginning this. I don't think it is necessarily 'grow or die.' NORAD may look slightly different, maybe a lot different five years from now."

Keating also called media reports of an imminent major terrorist strike "not entirely supportable" by intelligence analyzed by Keating's other area of responsibility, U.S. Northern Command.

During a news briefing Thursday at the symposium, Gen. Lance Lord, commander of Air Force Space Command, also based in Colorado Springs, addressed topics ranging from acquisition policies to threats against the nation's space tools, such as satellites and ground stations.

He said that unlike the Cold War days, the United States doesn't face a peer military competitor. But that doesn't mean an enemy couldn't interrupt satellite links crucial to the economy and military maneuvers.

Banking, for example, uses satellites for money transfers and ATM operations. Soldiers, pilots and sailors rely on satellite signals for guidance on the battlefield, whether on the ground, at sea or in the air.

The biggest vulnerability, Lord said, lies in intellectual complacency and the mistaken belief that systems don't need to be protected.

"One of our biggest threats is our willingness to say nothing is going to happen in this environment," he said.

"I don't want it to be like 1957 when this nation woke up after Sputnik was launched and said, 'Oh, my goodness, we're behind.'

"I don't want to cede this advantage we have with our great space capabilities enabling what we do in not only our economy but also the military, and not protect it."

Lord didn't answer a question about where the nation stands in girding those assets against attack.

CONTACT THE WRITER: 636-0238 or zubeck@gazette.com

SPACE SYMPOSIUM NOTEBOOK

SPACE-AGE GIVEAWAYS

Goodies handed out at the National Space Symposium by companies hoping to leave an impression get better every year.

The passe ink pen seems less popular this year, although DigitalGlobe's bluelight special is in demand.

Dozens of firms are displaying wares and handing out stuffed toys wearing company logo T-shirts; balls that light up when bounced -- one that also makes noise; calenders, some with images of Earth taken from space; staplers; notepads; beach towels; candy -- lots of candy; tool kits; notepads; stick pins; leather coasters; lanyards, keychains and mouse pads.

The winner, as declared by The Gazette, for innovation, usefulness and humor is Pratt and Whitney's 6-ounce bottle of "Rocket Fuel hot sauce."

CHECK YOUR LUGGAGE

Security, as one might expect, is tight at the symposium.

Local military bomb dogs swept the Broadmoor International Center, attendees must show their conference badges to get in and all bags are subject to search.

Staffing some of the security checkpoints are stern and buff men wearing microphones in their ears and looking as much like Secret Service personnel as -- well -- Secret Service personnel.

They're actually moonlighting Colorado Springs police officers.

SHUTTLE TAKEOFF

It's no wonder ITT Industries is an aerospace leader. The company never misses an opportunity.

The firm didn't provide run-of-the-mill shuttles to ferry attendees from a half-dozen hotels to The Broadmoor Monday through Thursday.

Rather, the buses were blanketed with planetary images and feature slogans such as, "Sometimes you have to read between the stars" and "A pair of GPS coordinates can take you to amazing places."

THE GAZETTE