Operation Noble Eagle (ONE) is a North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) initiative to aid in the defense of North American skies. The ongoing operation began September 14, 2001, in response to the September 11 terrorist attacks.
This operation was conducted under the Garden Plot contingency plan.

History

Operation Noble Eagle included air patrols over and around cities and the mobilization of thousands of National Guard and Reserve troops to perform security missions on military installations, airports and other potential targets such as bridges, as well as Canadian Forces Air Force providing defense of the northern border of North America.

The operation has cost more than $27 billion, according to a recent report compiled by the Congressional Research Service.

Requirement

The United States civilian and military leaders are beginning to regard the costly air defense operation above North American cities as a permanent defense requirement demanding significant attention from the combined NORAD Air Force. The current focus is on improving command and control of the homeland air defense mission.

Equipment

This operation also marks the first combat mission of the F-22 Raptor. The United States Department of Defense provided F-15 Eagles and F-16 Fighting Falcons to this operation, and the Canadian Forces provided CF-18s.

Canadian NORAD Region

As the Canadian geographical component of NORAD, CANR provides airspace surveillance and control, and directs all air sovereignty activities for the Canadian NORAD Region. CANR and its assigned Air Force assets throughout the country ensure air safety and security against potential air threats and have supported special events such as the G-8 Summit and the visits of foreign dignitaries.
The Canadian NORAD Region (CANR) flew Operation Noble Eagle (ONE) air defense protection missions in the Windsor, Ontario/Detroit, Michigan area on February 5, 2006, in support of Super Bowl XL at Ford Field. These types of missions had become more common at organized entertainment such as the Super Bowl.