General Terrence O’Shaughnessy, USAF
Commander, Northern Command and NORAD
Terrence John O’Shaughnessy was born in 1964 in Canada. He is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, earning a B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering. He obtained a Master’s Degree in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University at Daytona Beach, Florida, and has completed numerous military courses. After receiving his undergraduate pilot training in Texas, he trained in T-38 and F-16 fighter jets in New Mexico and Arizona. He is a command pilot with more than 3,000 flying hours, including 168 combat hours.
O’Shaughnessy has held numerous commands, including Deputy Commander for the United Nations Command in Korea, Commander of Pacific Air Forces, and presently is Commander of U.S. North American Command and the North American Aerospace Defense Command, also known as NORAD. He also served in various positions at the Pentagon.
In the News…
Air Force General Terrence O’Shaughnessy reported that “Russian aircraft were intercepted in the Bering Sea, north of the Aleutian Islands, and did not enter United States or Canadian airspace.” Nonetheless, the U.S. scrambled F-22 stealth fighters to intercept them.
Despite the coronavirus, “We’re ready 24/7” on alert for missions like this, he said.
The Russians flew their IL-38, a long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft used to hunt for American submarines, within 50 miles off the coast of Alaska.
“Our crews are ready,” the general repeated. “We are always ready to defend our great country.”
When asked why he thought the Russians would fly a mission so close to the United States during the coronavirus outbreak, O’Shaughnessy replied, “They wanted to see if we are able to react.”
A similar Russian mission near Alaska was intercepted three weeks ago while the Navy was conducting an arctic training mission with two submarines.
