PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. – The Cheyenne Mountain Operations Center becomes the Cheyenne Mountain Directorate as part of an ongoing effort to improve the operational effectiveness of the North American Aerospace Defense Command and United States Northern Command, according to NORAD and USNORTHCOM officials.
The change will better integrate NORAD and USNORTHCOM functions, tasks, missions and operations to protect American and Canadian citizens.
“I directed the formation of a team to take a hard look at the operational practices of NORAD and USNORTHCOM. I asked them to consider methods of improving our effectiveness and enhancing unity of effort,” said Adm. Timothy J. Keating, commander of NORAD and USNORTHCOM.
The study was conducted independently of the Quadrennial Defense Review, Base Realignment and Closure process, and the recent NORAD Agreement renewal.
In the next few years, some NORAD and USNORTHCOM military and civilian positions at Cheyenne Mountain will be relocated to NORAD and USNORTHCOM headquarters in Bldg. 2 on Peterson Air Force Base. The NORAD and USNORTHCOM facilities at Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station will be maintained, ready for use on short notice.
At this time, there is no intention to eliminate any jobs. The main impact on NORAD and USNORTHCOM civilian and military personnel currently working at Cheyenne Mountain Operations Center is that some will have a change of duty location to Peterson Air Force Base in the next few years.
“The change will enable the two commands to work more effectively together to fulfill their homeland defense missions, while acknowledging their distinctiveness,” said Lt.-Gen. Eric A. “Rick” Findley, NORAD deputy commander, who noted that the plan fully respects the terms of the NORAD Agreement. “Enhanced information sharing and resource sharing will result in greater cooperation and synchronization of effort.”
The change will minimally affect the local community.
The Cheyenne Mountain Operations Center is not NORAD; it is an operations center. NORAD headquarters is located at Peterson Air Force Base and NORAD has regional headquarters in the continental United States, Canada and Alaska.
Not all assets and personnel in Cheyenne Mountain belong to NORAD or USNORTHCOM. NORAD and USNORTHCOM personnel fill approximately twenty-five percent of the positions located at Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station.
The implementation plan is expected to last approximately 18 months. The plan will include a study of mission requirements, relocation of personnel and training to ensure no loss of readiness
:rofl: This had me laughing for half a minute straight, i swear. You guys crack me up. Keep up the good work! 
