Operation Noble Eagle is the name given to military operations related to homeland
security and support to federal, state, and local agencies. The ongoing operation began 14 September 2001, in response to the 11 September terrorist attacks, although it is believed this operation simply earned its name after 14 September 2001, and began much earlier.

History

Operation Noble Eagle began with the mobilization of thousands of National Guard

United States National Guard

The National Guard of the United States is a reserve military force composed of state National Guard militia members or units under federally recognized active or inactive armed force service for the United States. Militia members are citizen soldiers, meaning they work part time for the National...

 and Reserve

Reserve components of the United States armed forces

The reserve components of the United States armed forces are military organizations whose members, generally perform a minimum of 39 days of military duty per year and who augment the active duty military when necessary. The reserve components are also referred to collectively as the Guard and...

 personnel to perform security missions on military installations, airports and other potential targets such as bridges, power plants, and port facilities.These reservists were called to active duty under a mobilization authority known as a Partial Mobilization (10 USC 12302). In time of a national emergency declared by the President, Partial Mobilization authorizes the President to order members of the Ready Reserve

Ready Reserve

The Ready Reserve is a program maintained by the U.S. Department of Defense to maintain a pool of trained service members that may be recalled to active duty should the need arise. It is composed of service members that are contracted to serve in the Ready Reserve for a specified period of time as...

 to active duty for a period not to exceed 24 consecutive months. Additionally, in 2001 and 2002, thousands of members of the National Guard were activated at the order of their respective governors to provide additional security at airports. They were called up under Title 32 of the U.S. Code, which means they were under state control, but with federal pay and benefits. The Air Force

Royal Canadian Air Force

The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...

 assisted in providing defense of the northern border of the United States. Active Duty Army

United States Army

The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...

 Military Police were sent to Washington D.C. to protect the Capitol Building and White House under command and control of the 759th Military Police Battalion

759th Military Police Battalion

The 759th Military Police Battalion is a Military Police Battalion in the United States Army. It is currently stationed at Fort Carson, CO "The Mountain Post"...

.

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

F-22 Raptor

The Lockheed Martin/Boeing F-22 Raptor is a single-seat, twin-engine fifth-generation supermaneuverable fighter aircraft that uses stealth technology. It was designed primarily as an air superiority fighter, but has additional capabilities that include ground attack, electronic warfare, and signals...

. The United States Department of Defense

United States Department of Defense

The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...

 provided F-15 Eagle

F-15 Eagle

The McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle is a twin-engine, all-weather tactical fighter designed by McDonnell Douglas to gain and maintain air superiority in aerial combat. It is considered among the most successful modern fighters with over 100 aerial combat victories with no losses in dogfights...

s and F-16 Fighting Falcon

F-16 Fighting Falcon

The General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon is a multirole jet fighter aircraft originally developed by General Dynamics for the United States Air Force . Designed as an air superiority day fighter, it evolved into a successful all-weather multirole aircraft. Over 4,400 aircraft have been built since...

s to this operation, and the Canadian Forces

Canadian Forces

The Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed 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 5 February 2006, in support of Super Bowl XL

Super Bowl XL

Super Bowl XL was an American football game pitting the American Football Conference champion Pittsburgh Steelers against the National Football Conference champion Seattle Seahawks to decide the National Football League champion for the 2005 season...

at Ford Field. These types of missions had become more common at organized entertainment such as the Super Bowl.