Homeland Defense: Actions Needed to Improve Management of Air Sovereignty Alert Operations to Protect U.S. Airspace

Abstract

According to U.S. intelligence, the threat to U.S airspace remains. The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) is to defend U.S. air space and the U.S. Air Force has 18 sites in the United States that conduct air sovereignty alert (ASA) operations. ASA operations support fighter aircraft in conducting homeland air defense operations. GAO examined the extent to which (1) NORAD has adopted a risk-based management approach to determine ASA operational requirements; (2) the Air Force has implemented ASA operations as a steady-state mission in accordance with Department of Defense (DOD), NORAD, and Air Force directives and guidance; (3) the Air Force assesses the readiness of units conducting ASA operations; and (4) the Air Force faces challenges in sustaining ASA operations for the future and what plans, if any, it has to address such challenges. GAO reviewed relevant ASA guidance, directives, and planning documents; and interviewed DOD officials, including the commanders of all 18 ASA sites.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2009
Accession Number
ADA493179

Entities

Organizations

  • United States Government Accountability Office

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Human Systems
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Base Closures
  • California
  • Combatant Commanders
  • Command And Control
  • Fighter Aircraft
  • Homeland Defense
  • Homeland Security
  • Military Operations
  • Military Science
  • National Security
  • Personnel Management
  • United States
  • United States Government
  • United States Northern Command
  • United States Pacific Command
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Aerial Delivery - Logistics and Supply Chain Management.
  • Aerospace logistics and air mobility.
  • Emergency Management and Homeland Security.

Technology Areas

  • Space