The North Amer. Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) is to defend U.S. air space and the U.S. Air Force (AF) has 18 sites in the U.S. that conduct air sovereignty alert (ASA) operations. ASA operations support fighter aircraft in conducting homeland air defense operations. This report examined the extent to which: (1) NORAD has adopted a risk-based mgmt. approach to determine ASA operational requirements; (2) the AF has implemented ASA operations as a steady-state mission in accordance with DoD, NORAD, and AF directives and guidance; (3) the AF assesses the readiness of units conducting ASA operations; and (4) the AF faces challenges in sustaining ASA operations for the future and what plans, if any, it has to address such challenges. Charts.

Air sovereignty alert operations: hearing before the Readiness Subcommittee of the Committee on Armed Services, House of Representatives, One Hundred Eleventh Congress, first session, hearing held April 22, 2009.

"This testimony discusses GAO's recently issued report on the North American Aerospace Defense Command's (NORAD) and the Department of Defense's (DOD) air sovereignty alert (ASA) operations. According to the National Strategy for Aviation Security, issued in March 2007, and officials from U.S. intelligence agencies with whom we met, air attacks are still a threat to the United States and its people. To address this threat, NORAD and DOD have fully fueled, fully armed aircraft and trained personnel on alert 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, at 18 ASA sites across the United States. Of the 18 sites, 16 are maintained by Air National Guard (ANG) units and 2 are maintained by active duty Air Force units. If warranted, NORAD can increase personnel, aircraft, and the number of ASA sites based on changes in threat conditions. The Air Force provides NORAD with personnel and equipment, including F-15 and F-16 aircraft, for these operations. ASA units are tasked to conduct and train for both expeditionary missions (e.g., military operations in Iraq) and ASA operations. This testimony will discuss whether (1) NORAD routinely conducts risk assessments to determine the appropriate operational requirements; (2) the Air Force has implemented ASA operations as a steady-state mission, which would require programming funding and measuring readiness, in accordance with NORAD, DOD, and Air Force guidance; and (3) the Air Force has developed a plan to address the recapitalization challenges to sustaining ASA operations for the future."--Highlights.

Discusses a report on the North Amer. Aerospace Defense Command's (NORAD) and the DoD air sovereignty alert (ASA) operations. Air attacks are still a threat to the U.S. and its people. To address this threat, NORAD and DoD have fully fueled, fully armed aircraft and trained personnel on alert 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, at 18 ASA sites across the U.S. This testimony discusses whether: (1) NORAD conducts risk assessments to determine the appropriate operational requirements; (2) the Air Force has implemented ASA operations as a steady-state mission, which would require programming funding; and (3) the Air Force has developed a plan to address the recapitalization challenges to sustaining ASA operations for the future. Illus.

" In the 11 years since September 11, 2001, the U.S. government has put forth extensive efforts to protect the nation's aviation sector and airspace. These efforts include air sovereignty alert (ASA) operations, for which the Air Force provides personnel and fully fueled, fully armed aircraft sitting on constant alert at 18 sites across the United States. In 2009, GAO found shortcomings in the Department of Defense's (DOD) management of ASA operations, leading to a number of GAO recommendations. For this report, GAO examined the extent to which (1) the Air Force has implemented GAO's 2009 recommendations, (2) DOD has implemented a risk-based management approach for ASA operations, and (3) the Air Force has accurately identified expenditures for ASA operations. To do so, GAO analyzed relevant strategies, planning documents, guidance, and expenditure data; and interviewed North American Aerospace Defense Command ( "

Air sovereignty alert operations: hearing before the Readiness Subcommittee of the Committee on Armed Services, House of Representatives, One Hundred Eleventh Congress, first session, hearing held April 22, 2009.