Norad celebrates 50 years as continent's watchdog

OTTAWA - The North American Aerospace Defence Command, the long-running military partnership between Canada and the U.S., marked its 50th birthday Monday with celebrations at its headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Created at the height of the Cold War in May 1958, Norad was mandated to monitor threats to overseas airspace. But it has since expanded to adapt to current national security issues, according to Canadian Lt.-Gen. Charlie Bouchard, deputy commander of the joint U.S.-Canada military organization.

"Norad has continued to evolve since Day 1 of its creation," the Chicoutomi, Que., native told Canwest News Service from the Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado. "We provide surveillance not just to air but to space and sea. We also monitor day-to-day aircraft within North America and overseas that might be carrying narcotics or illegal cargo."