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WASHINGTON, Jan. 30, 2004 – On Super Bowl Sunday Feb. 1, the U.S. military will be hard at work protecting players and fans alike.
The North American Aerospace Defense Command and United States Northern Command are taking appropriate actions to deter and defeat any possible threats against Sunday's game and festivities, according to Mike Perini, both commands' director of public affairs. "The NORAD and USNORTHCOM staffs have reviewed possible scenarios surrounding Sunday's game and will be monitoring the various information sources to ensure they maintain the best possible situational awareness," said Perini. He noted that the two commands maintain constant vigilance and plan and execute "prudent measures to deter, prevent or defeat those who would wish to do us harm." In their homeland defense roles, NORAD and NORTHCOM join local, state, federal and other military efforts to protect Americans' rights and freedoms. The binational Canadian and American NORAD is responsible for the air defense of North America. Since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, NORAD has scrambled fighters or diverted air patrols more than 1,700 times to respond to possible air threats. It has also combined with Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft and air-to-air-refueling tankers to fly more than 34,000 sorties. Established in the Sept. 11 aftermath, NORTHCOM provides military assistance to civil authorities in line with U.S. laws and as directed by the president or secretary of defense. Such assistance is always in support of a lead federal agency, such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency. (Based on a U.S. Northern Command media release.)
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