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 The Air Force is part of an international effort to increase security in the United States in Operation Noble Eagle. Almost as many Air Force members defend American skies in this homeland defense mission as are deployed to Operation Enduring Freedom. More than 11,000 personnel, the majority members of the Guard and Reserve, have generated more than 13,000 sorties to patrol American skies 24/7 since 11 September. NORAD has more than 100 ANG and AFRES fighters from twenty-six locations providing homeland defense, with 100 fighters backing them. Likewise, more than twenty ANG and AFRES tankers are airborne every day to keep fighters on station, with forty more on alert. Approximately twenty airborne early warning aircraft, which include AWACS, NATO AWACS, and US Customs Service aircraft, monitor the skies and coordinate operations. |
