TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, FL -- North American Aerospace Defense Command’s Continental U.S. Region fighters along with interagency partners will be securing the skies around the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on Super Bowl Sunday, February 13.
Continental U.S. NORAD Region aircraft will be enforcing the Federal Aviation Administration’s temporary flight restricted zone during Sunday’s big game.
Lt. Gen. Kirk Pierce, CONR commander, explained that as a part of their NORAD mission, CONR provides the air defense shield for the continental United States, to include securing the airspace for special events such as the Super Bowl.
“Just as football players practice working together cohesively as one team in order to succeed, we too practice for success by conducting extensive, complex air-defense training to be ready to defend North America at a moment’s notice,” said Pierce.
In addition to the FAA, NORAD partners with the FBI, Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations, and local law enforcement. This interagency partnership and coordination ensures the safety of the skies over SoFi stadium.
CONR provides air defense for the protection of the continental United States, to include events such as the State of the Union Address, United Nations General Assemblies, Republican and Democratic National Conventions, and the Super Bowl.
“Here at the Air Operations Center we are watching over the skies of Continental United States not just on game day but every day,” said Col. Gregory Krane, 601st Air Operations Center commander. “With special events such as the Super Bowl there is a tireless amount of planning and coordination with our interagency partners to secure the airspace over SoFi Stadium. Whether you are cheering for the Rams or the Bengals, know that CONR has the watch.”
NORAD flights have minimal impact on aircraft in the area and are not in response to any specific threat. It’s a mission that has occurred for every Super Bowl since 2002.
A component of NORAD, CONR provides airspace warning and control and directs aerospace control activities for the continental United States.
The 601st AOC is the operational arm of CONR-1st Air Force, and is responsible for detecting, deterring, defending and if necessary, defeating any aviation threat to the citizens of the United States and to U.S. critical infrastructure. The AOC is primarily manned by the Florida Air National Guard's 101st Air and Space Operations Group.