The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) was established as a
result of an agreement between Canada and the United States to defend
against increasing Soviet military capabilities. In the early years of
World War II, the leaders of the United States and Canada agreed to
military cooperation, thus beginning strong defense relations still
evident today. Military and civilian personnel from both countries work
together for the defense of North America. Established as a formal
military command in 1958, NORAD has been headquartered in Colorado
Springs since its inception. In the late 1950s, a decision was made to
move the Continental Air Defense Command combat operations center to an
underground facility to provide a secure and hardened location for air
defense operations. After several locations were evaluated, Cheyenne
Mountain, south of Colorado Springs, Colorado, was chosen for the new
command center. In operation since 1966, Cheyenne Mountain Air Force
Station continues to be America's fortress.
