**GAO-09-184**                      Published: Jan 27, 2009. Publicly Released: Jan 27, 2009.                  

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## Highlights

According to U.S. intelligence, the threat to U.S airspace remains. The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) is to defend U.S. air space and the U.S. Air Force has 18 sites in the United States that conduct air sovereignty alert (ASA) operations. ASA operations support fighter aircraft in conducting homeland air defense operations. GAO examined the extent to which (1) NORAD has adopted a risk-based management approach to determine ASA operational requirements; (2) the Air Force has implemented ASA operations as a steady-state mission in accordance with Department of Defense (DOD), NORAD, and Air Force directives and guidance; (3) the Air Force assesses the readiness of units conducting ASA operations; and (4) the Air Force faces challenges in sustaining ASA operations for the future and what plans, if any, it has to address such challenges. GAO reviewed relevant ASA guidance, directives, and planning documents; and interviewed DOD officials, including the commanders of all 18 ASA sites.

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## Topics

National Defense

Agency missionsAir defense systemsAir Force personnelAir warfareAircraftCombat readinessDefense capabilitiesDefense operationsDefense procurementEvaluation criteriaFighter aircraftHomeland securityMilitary forcesMilitary trainingOperational testingRequirements definitionRisk assessmentRisk managementTerrorism