NORAD
North American Air Defence Command
A joint American/Canadian organization conceived after WW2 tasked with keeping the Soviets from turning both our countries into self-illuminating glass car parks.
From a Central Command Centre in Colorado and a back up in North Bay, Ontario; American and Canadian personnel monitored a series of ground and later satellite-based tracking systems in the hopes of giving us the 'heads up' should anything suspicious looking start coming over the ice caps.
NORAD was also charged with the coordination of USAF/RCAF intercepts of said suspicious looking somethings. Post 9/11 NORAD is now also tasked with keeping a watchful eye on civilian air traffic and providing a "helpful escort and directions" to any private/commercial aircraft who get "lost" over densely populated areas.
