(U) 1956-1957 NORAD CONAD History.pdf - US Northern Command

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a single problem and that plans for the use of the air
defense resources of Canada and the United States . MUS t
be developed on a combined basis so as to provide the
most effective defense possible for agreed vital targets.
In general, this concept had long been held by Canada and the
U. S. and had guided post-war planning am development. As far back
as 1949, the Military Coopel1ltion Committee (MCC) had drawn up a
joint emergency defense plan to outline the major actions necessar,r
and the agreed principles of common defense operations. The foCC
followed this with a directive to the U. S. air defense organization,
the Continental Air Commani, and the RCAF Air Defence Group (the
Canadian organization that preceded the ReAr Air Defence Commar.d) to
prepare detailed emergency air defense plans. The first of these was
prepared in 1950. New plans were made each year thereafter.
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By 1957, the emergency air defense plan covered the agreed to
concept for air defense operations, critical areas to be defended,
combined operational arrangements, and the necessary policies and
procedures for carrying out the concept of operations. The latter
included cross border interception and engagement procedures, rules
of engagement, ani the agreement for operational control of U. S.
forces in Canada.
Another major part of the joint planning was the Continental
Air Defense Objectives Plan, 1956-1966, dated 15 December 1956. This
plan was prepared on the basis of the above quoted requirement of the
MeC and CONAD's responsibility to recommend requirements for the continental
ai2' defense system to the JCS. The preface of this plan
noted that:
In the absence of any authorized combined planning
agency, but in accordance with the intent of the /PeC
Directivel, CINCONAD has produced this document to set
the objectives for the air defense of Canada and the
United States within a mutual air defense system. In
formulating these objectives, the AOC ADC (Canada) has
been consulted frequently, and the RCAF Planning Liaison
Staff at Headquarters CONAD has participated fully.
In addition to this joint plannine and coordination of procedures,
the two countries had shared in the building and manning of
the Pinetree radars in Canada. Finally, the number of officers
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