The Big Five-O

Canada and the US yesterday (May 12) celebrated the 50th anniversary of the signing of the NORAD agreement with a golden jubilee ball in Colorado Springs, Colo. US Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Canadian Minister of National Defence Peter Gordon MacKay were scheduled to speak at the event, which celebrated the bilateral partnership that has protected both nations from air and space threats for the past half century. Today (May 13), a time capsule ceremony is planned, along with the opening of a new command center for NORAD at Peterson AFB, Colo. NORAD has planned a series of celebratory events throughout the year, including exhibits at air shows in both nations.