The commander of North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) is a four-star general or admiral in the United States Armed Forces who serves as the head of all United States and Canadian joint aerospace military operational forces, stationed within the North American territories.
The commander of NORAD is nominated for appointment by the President of the United States and must be confirmed by the United States Senate.
The commander of NORAD typically serves for two years.
In recent years deputy commanders have always been Canadian air force lieutenant generals.
Prior to the 1968 unification of the Canadian Forces, the deputy commanders were RCAF Air Marshals.