Canadian Minister of National Defence David McGuinty congratulates Lt. Gen. Iain Huddleston on his posting as North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) deputy commander and Canadian Element NORAD commander during a ceremony July 15, 2025, at Peterson Space. JOSHUA ARMSTRONG/U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Canadian Minister of National Defence David McGuinty traveled to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) headquarters in Colorado for the first time on July 15. His visit coincided with NORAD’s transfer of appointment ceremony of the deputy commander, who is always Canadian.
While in Colorado Springs, McGuinty met with Gen. Gregory M. Guillot, commander of U.S. Northern Command and NORAD, to discuss strengthening security in North America. He also met with departing NORAD Deputy Commander Lt. Gen. Blaise Frawley and Lt. Gen. Iain Huddleston, the new deputy commander of NORAD.
“I thank Lt. Gen. Blaise Frawley for his outstanding service and leadership as Deputy Commander of NORAD,” McGuinty said in a news release. “His dedication to continental defence has been exemplary. I also congratulate Lt. Gen. Iain Huddleston on his appointment and have full confidence in his ability to carry forward this vital mission.”
NORAD’s deputy commander is the most senior Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) officer in the command and serves as commander of the Canadian Element NORAD, which includes all Canadian personnel assigned to NORAD across North America. Huddleston is a Royal Canadian Air Force officer and pilot with over 5,600 flight hours and extensive international experience, including deployments to the Middle East and an exchange with the Royal Air Force in Scotland.
Frawley is a decorated CF-18 fighter pilot and combat veteran. On July 15, Guillot presented Frawley the Legion of Merit for his exceptional meritorious conduct as NORAD deputy commander.
“NORAD stands as a pillar of binational cooperation, embodying unwavering dedication, readiness, and unity — qualities I have witnessed daily in its dedicated members, Canadian and American alike,” Frawley said in a news release. “To the NORAD community, your commitment to the mission is both inspiring and unwavering, and I extend my sincerest gratitude to you all.”
While at NORAD, McGuinty met with other CAF members and attended a missile defense demonstration. He reaffirmed Canada’s pledge toward the modernization of NORAD, Arctic security and related programs, such as Arctic Over the Horizon Radar (A-OTHR) and Integrated Air and Missile Defense.
McGuinty confirmed that the government has ended all restrictions on air and missile defense of Canada, allowing the country to build up its defense capabilities. Two days after McGuinty’s visit, Canada’s Department of National Defence announced that the military had chosen the first transmit and receive sites in Ontario for the A-OTHR project. A-OTHR aims to significantly expand NORAD’s situational awareness of objects approaching and entering Canadian airspace from the north.
In testimony before the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee on February 13, 2025, Guillot said: “For nearly 67 years, the U.S. and Canadian personnel assigned to NORAD have worked side by side in a shared commitment to continental defense. Forged through operational experience and a common vision, NORAD consistently demonstrates world-class professional standards while executing its critical defense mission 24 hours a day. Today, NORAD remains the world’s only binational command, safeguarding the U.S. and Canada while routinely demonstrating seamless interoperability and operational excellence that our competitors can only hope to match.”