Sunday, November 22, 2009

US NORAD and NORTHCOM Senior Enlisted Leader Visits Canada Command

Command Chief Master Sergeant W. Allen Usry, the Senior Enlisted Leader at North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command (NORAD and USNORTHCOM) in Colorado Springs, Colorado, visited Canada Command Headquarters in Ottawa as part of a contingent of U.S. Senior Enlisted Military Leaders on Wednesday, 18 November, 2009. The contingent was in Canada to discuss cross-border military training and professional development.

Chief Master Sergeant Usry’s core responsibilities are as principal leader to the NORAD and USNORTHCOM commander on all enlisted matters. This includes strategic vision, goals and objectives to theatre security and enlisted professional development. He also serves as mentor to other senior enlisted leaders throughout the command.

NORAD is a bi-national command that oversees aerospace warning and aerospace control for Canada, Alaska and the continental United States while USNORTHCOM oversees command and control of Unites States homeland defence issues and coordinates defence support of civil authorities upon request.

Canada Command is responsible for Canadian Forces routine and contingency operations in Canada and continental North America. It works closely with NORAD and USNORTHCOM and its roles include oversight of surveillance and sovereignty patrols, air and maritime search and rescue, civil and humanitarian aid (disaster relief), support to law enforcement agencies and support to major public events like the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and the 2010 Muskoka G8 Summit.

For detailed information on Canada Command and its role in defending and protecting Canadians go to: Canada Command Backgrounder