U.S. Global Engagement Center combats disinformation and propaganda THE WATCH Staff The United States Congress established the Department of State’s Global Engagement Center (GEC) in 2017 to lead and coordinate interagency efforts to combat propaganda and disinformation from Russia, Iran, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and nonstate foreign terrorist groups. With its new mandate and expanded resources, the GEC established threat teams, including a Russia Team, China Team, Iran Team and Counterterrorism Team. The GEC also created an Analytics and Research Team and a Technology Engagement Team to use the latest data analytics tools and technology to ensure success.…
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A history of NORAD’s Russian aircraft intercepts DR. BRIAN D. LASLIE U.S. and Canadian fighter aircraft intercepting Soviet — and later Russian — bombers has long been a mainstay of the defense of North America. The cat-and-mouse game between the air forces of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the combined air forces of Canada and the United States began before the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) officially started operations in May 1958. Soviet aircraft presented a threat to North America that needed to be countered. The earliest visual contact with Soviet aircraft was recorded August 1, 1950.…
THE WATCH Staff Great power adversaries of the United States — the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Russia — are pursuing multiple strategies to undermine the sense of security that oceans of distance once afforded defenders of North America. Both countries are developing hypersonic weapons that can reach the U.S. and travel at more than five times the speed of sound. The PRC is investing in the infrastructure of nearly 70 countries worldwide through its One Belt, One Road (OBOR) program, giving it political influence and access to deep-water ports from which to project power. These adversaries are even…
Special Forces deploy to Alaska to simulate oil field defense Story and photos by 10TH SPECIAL FORCES GROUP (AIRBORNE) PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE Editor’s note: The names of those serving in the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) are withheld for the safety of the Soldiers and their families. Special Operations Command North (SOCNORTH) teamed up with Air Mobility Command to deliver a tailored special operations task force north of the Arctic Circle on minimal notice in September 2020. SOCNORTH deployed a task force composed of a crisis response force planning element and a Green Beret team from the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne)…
NORAD hones air defenses, readiness with Arctic exercise THE WATCH STAFF Ongoing threats from great power competitors are placing ever-greater importance on military exercises by Canada and the United States that stress troop readiness and air defense capabilities as the mission of protecting the approaches to North America becomes increasingly complex. The binational North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) conducted Operation Noble Defender in the Arctic in September 2020 as Russian military incursions along the periphery of Canada and the U.S. persisted. “As competitors seek to bolster their presence and increase military operations in the Arctic, NORAD remains vigilant and…
Denmark May Use Stealth F-35s Over Greenland THE WATCH STAFF Danish military officials say the U.S.-made F-35 fighter jet is poised to play a key role in Denmark’s air defense and could be used in Greenland as the abundant natural resources of the Arctic lure great power competitors to the region. Maj. Gen. Anders Rex, commander of Air Command Denmark for the Royal Danish Air Force, told Defense News in August 2020 that some of the 27 F-35s that Denmark purchased from the United States will be outfitted with a drag chute that will enable them to land on icy runways. “Coupled…
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NORAD identifies threats, enforces air restrictions THE WATCH STAFF They patrol the skies over the biggest events — Super Bowls, World Series games and rocket launches. More frequently, they intercept pilots who violate flight restrictions by flying over protected areas such as the nation’s capital or the presidential retreat. Aviators from the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) defend the homeland every day by identifying threats and interacting with civilian and military pilots. The events that often make headlines, however, are NORAD’s military-to-military encounters, such as when NORAD pilots intercept long-range Russian bombers. NORAD is charged with the critical missions…
Military, intelligence collaboration protects homelands worldwide THE WATCH STAFF Military and intelligence-sharing cooperation agreements play prominent roles in the history of homeland defense. Friendly governments collaborated to uncover a Soviet spy ring stealing nuclear secrets. A regional defense pact led to the capture of terrorist kidnappers in Southeast Asia. More recently, Indian insurgent groups operating inside Bangladesh were disbanded, thanks to military coordination between neighboring border forces. In a digital world where threats can originate from any point on the globe, like-minded countries are coming to an important conclusion: Homeland defense starts with the efforts of friendly nations far from…
NORAD Deputy Director of Operations: Analytics, all-domain awareness are pillars of homeland strategy The Watch spoke with Brig. Gen. Pete M. Fesler, deputy director of operations for the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), to discuss a wide range of homeland defense issues. Gen. Fesler oversees the execution of aerospace warning, aerospace control and maritime warning for North America. Gen. Fesler has served in a variety of operational, educational and staff assignments, including multiple tours in both the F-15C and F-22A fighter jets as a command pilot. He participated in multiple deployments, including more than 50 combat missions over Iraq.…