NORAD—the bi-national command responsible for air defense of the North American air space—is ensuring airspace safety and Security for the STS-123 launch and landing. NORAD support will consist of fighter planes and U.S. Coast Guard helicopters enforcing the Temporary Flight Restriction, or TFR.

The FAA-imposed flight restriction and the associated Notice to Airmen can be viewed in their entirety by linking to the FAAs Web site at www.faa.gov, and by clicking on the state of Florida link.

NORAD is also prepared to respond to any shuttle emergency by securing the airspace over Kennedy Space Center, and the numerous launch abort sites, should an emergency landing be necessary.

The safety and security of North American airspace remains NORAD's prime mission. The command retains a robust air defense posture to maintain air sovereignty over the continental U.S., Alaska and Canada. Since Sept. 11, 2001, NORAD fighters have scrambled or diverted more than 2,100 times in response to air events, and NORAD aircraft have flown more than 48,000 sorties (including refueling support and command and control missions) in support of Operation NOBLE EAGLE.

U.S. Northern Command is the lead U.S. Department of Defense organization responsible for Military incident support to the space shuttle program. This support includes astronaut rescue and space shuttle recovery. USNORTHCOM, established in 2002 and fully operational Sept. 11, 2003, coordinates U.S. military assets for DOD efforts to assist the space shuttle astronauts in the event of an emergency. USNORTHCOM will command and control DOD forces in the event of an emergency primarily through Air Forces Northern (AFNORTH), which forms the core of the Joint Task Force Space Transportation System (JTF-STS), commanded by U. S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Randy Spear.

AFNORTH is made up of operations, information, command and control specialists, and support personnel who understand, focus and employ DODs unique capabilities. AFNORTH works with NASA, DOD installations, the U.S. military services and other U.S. government agencies, such as the Department of Homeland Security and the Coast Guard to accomplish the mission. More than 400 DOD personnel are ready to support the mission, with 14 members of AFNORTH on location at Cape Canaveral monitoring and providing command and control of DOD forces. A complete list of DOD forces tasked to AFNORTH can be obtained from their Public Affairs officer at the NASA Media Services Center at Kennedy Space Center.

The mission of USNORTHCOM is homeland defense and civil support. The command conducts operations to deter, prevent, defeat and mitigate threats and aggression aimed at the United States, its territories and interests within the assigned area of responsibility. As directed by the President or Secretary of Defense, USNORTHCOM provides military assistance to civil authorities including consequence management operations.