The North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command have a new commander.
Air Force Gen. Gregory M. Guillot officially took the helm of the air defense organization during a change of command ceremony held in Colorado Springs on Monday.
He succeeds retiring Air Force Gen. Glen D. VanHerck, who became the commander of NORAD in 2020.
In a statement, Canadian Minister of National Defence Bill Blair congratulated Guillot and thanked VanHerck for his service, as well as reiterated the nation’s commitment to NORAD.
“For over 65 years, this binational command has safeguarded North America and shown the world the unparalleled integration of the Canada-U.S. defense relationship,” he said. Canada continues to make major investments to strengthen the military capability of and support for NORAD’s missions, the minister added.
In 2023, the Canadian government finalized an agreement to acquire a fleet of P-8A Poseidon aircraft for the Royal Canadian Air Force. Blair said the aircraft would enable Canada to conduct maritime and overland surveillance in support of NORAD’s maritime warning mission.
Canada also acquired MQ-9B remotely piloted aircraft systems to assist NORAD operations.
The acquisitions are part of Ottawa’s NORAD Modernization Plan released in 2022, which amounts to $38.6 billion over the next 20 years.