CONR-AFNORTH supports Space Shuttle launch Published March 15, 2009 By Master Sgt. Jerry D. Harlan AFNORTH Public Affairs KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- The Continental U.S. NORAD Region and Air Forces Northern provided crucial airspace control and manning support to the successful launch of Space Shuttle Discovery Sunday. "The members of CONR protect the surrounding airspace overhead the shuttle, while AFNORTH personnel provide manning to potential search and rescue operations," said Maj. Gen. Hank Morrow, commander of CONR-AFNORTH. "The Space Shuttle is a highly-visible national asset, one I am proud to be supporting and protecting." CONR ensured airspace sovereignty by enforcing the FAA flight restricted area established around Kennedy Space Center, using F-15 Eagle fighters from the 33rd Fighter Wing at Eglin Air Force Base. CONR also deployed the Joint-Based Expeditionary Connectivity Center team to Cape Canaveral to provide an over-arching air picture to the supported entities. AFNORTH provided the headquarters manning for U.S. Northern Command's Joint Task Force-Space Transportation System, responsible for the search and rescue of the astronauts and recovery of the orbiter if the need arises. AFNORTH also serves as the operational level focal point for situational understanding and crisis response to space shuttle mission contingencies. JTF-STS provides the command and control of Department of Defense forces during crisis response from the Morrell Operations Center at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. "The JTF has assets prepositioned nation-wide to provide search and rescue if the astronaut have a bad day," said Col. Randy Spear, JTF-STS commander. "We are ready and prepared to support, but hope that we are never called upon."