NORAD - The US Military's Best Kept Secret | Behind The Wings [4K] | Spark

We are so lucky to have such dedicated faithful individuals standing by to protect us all.

I was stationed at Peterson AFB doing software support for NORAD 30 years ago, it was a highly rewarding job at the time. This video is very refreshing and give me a renewed appreciation for these folks keeping our countries safe. Well done.

Canada is a good neighbor ! Thanks to all that contribute to NORAD !!!

Love that intro shot of the fighter jet passing by the 172. The fighter jet was going so slow it had to keep the hard angle of attack and yet still went flying past the small cessna!

My father, USAF communications officer, was assigned to Gander in the late 40’s early 50’s. His job was to send his guys out on the ice to survey potential Dew Line sites. One day his general called him up and asked him if he’d ever even been to Thule. Dad replied in the negative and following a chewing out was ordered to go visit. So he got on the next transport, flew up to Thule (“A most miserable place!”) got off the plane to smoke a cigar while they refueled, then flew straight back to Gander. Landed, called his general to report he’d “been” and got a star in his evaluation for showing “initiative.” I learned all about the DEW line when I was about 5 yrs old. Was born in Newfoundland where my parents adopted me while assigned to Gander!

My grandpa retired years ago from the Air Force. Last place he worked at was NORAD, and before that, the Pentagon, Assistant Joint Chiefs Of Staff is what he commanded before he was stationed at NORAD.

My Father was stationed at Puntzi Mt. BC on the Pinetree Line from 1959-1962. I was 4-7 years old and revisited the site in 1980 and 1997. Never knew what it was all about until now!

Born at Fitszimmons, grew up in Colorado Springs and worked in Norad,Peterson AFB, Airforce Academy, Falcon (now Shriver) Space Command and Ft.Carson, the blast door and buildings on giant springs in Norad were the coolest things I've seen

Very impressive. I am mighty proud of you NORAD guys, especially since I had the opportunity to visit one of your bases. Love and prayers to you all.

A few years ago, my buddy and I were flying his Mooney from N.J. to North Carolina. We were well east of the Washington D.C. restricted area. The Mooney had a Garmin 530 GPS display that was able to show other air traffic using transponders. After a while, you get used to perceiving how fast the other aircraft are going, just through experience. This was before it was required to have ADS-B. We were up somewhere around 7,500 ft. above sea level when suddenly I noticed another aircraft on the Garmin indicating an altitude about 4,000 ft below us and about 10 miles behind us. The thing that really got my attention was the speed the target was traveling. It was much faster than an airliner. I never saw another airplane go that fast on the Garmin. I joked and told my buddy we were being followed by a UFO. Finally, as the target merged with us, I looked down in front of the right-wing and saw an F-16. As he passed us he made a wide clearing left turn out toward the sea. We were doing nothing wrong and we were not in restricted airspace. He never came near us and if it were not for the Garmin, we might not have even known he was there. I guess even NORAD gets bored sometimes and uses general aviation airplanes for practice.

I was with the 24th NORAD at Malmstrom AFB (Huntress Control) from 1979 to 1983. I then was hired by the FAA and spent 33 years at Fort Worth Center. I have several stories about intercepts but it was great to see it from the video's perspective.

Thank you for the good video, things have changed over the decades of which I had not paid attention to. I appreciate the update!

Very Cool. Living very near Holloman AFB in New Mex. I get to see & listen to F16's in training flights daily. It Never gets old. Recently, they were doing high altitude flights & the Sonic Booms were truly impressive. AMERICA !!!!

I love that B-1 in the background, such a sleek looking aircraft.

I train daily at March ARB. There is a California air nat’l guard detachment of F-16’s there that seem to launch almost every other day, if not every day while we are there in the pattern. It’s quite impressive.

Thanks for your service keeping us safe!!! Great video!!👍🇺🇸

I worked at NORAD HQ as a civilian after retiring from the Air Force. I had offices both in the mountain and at Peterson. I was the Commander’s representative for force management i.e I made NORAD had the people and equipment NORAD needed.

One of the best videos I've seen this year. TY

I worked as a Watch Officer inside the Cheyenne Mountain COC - one of the best assignments I had during my 30 year military career.

Growing up on "WarGames", I was left questioning how effective a country's ability to defend itself actually was. But, as a private pilot, I'm glad I was never intercepted for unknowingly doing something stupid.