The Cheyenne Mountain Operations Center will become the Cheyenne Mountain Directorate as part of an ongoing effort to improve the operational effectiveness of North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command, officials said.

 

NORAD AND NORTHCOM personnel make up about a quarter of the staff at Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station. The move of personnel to the NORAD and NORTHCOM headquarters will better integrate the two commands’ operations to protect American and Canadian citizens, according to a news release from the combined headquarters.

 

“The change will enable the two commands to work more effectively together to fulfill their homeland defense missions, while acknowledging their distinctiveness,” Canadian air force Lt. Gen. Eric A. “Rick” Findley, NORAD’s deputy commander, said. “Enhanced information sharing and resource sharing will result in greater cooperation and synchronization of effort.”

 

The change should have minimal impact on the local community. “At this point in time, there is no intention to eliminate any jobs,” the release stated.

 

Officials said they expect the move to be completed in about 18 months. The implementation plan will include a study of mission requirements, relocation of personnel and training to ensure no loss of readiness.

 

The study was conducted independently of the Quadrennial Defense Review, Base Realignment and Closure process, and the recent NORAD Agreement renewal. “I directed the formation of a team to take a hard look at the operational practices of NORAD and USNORTHCOM. I asked them to consider methods of improving our effectiveness and enhancing unity of effort,” U.S. Navy Adm. Timothy J. Keating, NORAD and NORTHCOM commander, said.

 

The NORAD and NORTHCOM facilities at Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station will be maintained, ready for use on short notice, officials said.