Military

The two main exercise program components are Command Post Exercises (CPX) and Field Training Exercises (FTX).

The CINCNORAD CPX Program exercises NORAD's C4 structure as an adjunct of the US and Canadian national command architectures. The CPX exercises incorporate simulation events to allow ITW&AA and generate crisis and decision-making situations which blend in CONPLAN/OPORD execution. CPXs are battle staff exercises. They use simulated events to generate crisis and decision-making situations for exercise participants as the primary means to achieve exercise objectives. The CINCNORAD CPX program provides the opportunity to exercise CONPLANS, procedures, concepts, etc., in an environment that permits realistic execution without real-world peacetime constraints. Specifically, CPXs provide a venue to exercise and train attack response, post-attack and reconstitution operations.

The CINCNORAD FTX program focuses on the air sovereignty and air defense missions. It operationally tests detection and prosecution of the air-breathing threat, connectivity with battle staffs and the deployment and employment capabilities of NORAD-assigned and-gained units. Specific exercise objectives are developed for each exercise to ensure exercise participants are aware of the exercise focus. These objectives ensure that the maximum benefit is gained from the exercise experience. However, exercise objectives are not permitted to interfere with real-world operations in support of CINCNORAD-assigned missions. CINCNORAD-sponsored FTXs employ actual aircraft in scenarios designed to exercise C4, CONPLANs, procedures and tactics. Scenarios will be as realistic as possible within the bounds of flight safety and the constraints of peacetime operations. FTXs are joint, binational exercises and include participating units from 1CAD, Canadian Maritime Command, HQ NORAD, NORAD regions and sectors, United States Atlantic Command (USACOM), United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM), United States Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM), United States Pacific Command (USPACOM), United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), Air Mobility Command (AMC), Air National Guard (ANG), US Air Force, US Army, US Navy, US Marine Corps, Civil Air Patrol, US Customs Service and the US Coast Guard.