Eastern Air Defense Sector Opens New Headquarters Building

Media Advisory

ROME, NY (09/30/2009)(readMedia)-- The Eastern Air Defense Sector will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open its new headquarters building on Friday, Oct. 2.

WHO: New York Air National Guardsmen and woman and the leadership of the Eastern Air Defense Sector, along with community leaders.

WHAT: A ribbon cutting ceremony to officially mark the opening of a new EADs headquarters building which will bring the different elements of the command together under one roof.

WHEN: Friday, Oct. 2 at 9. a.m.

WHERE: 366 Otis Street, Griffis Technology Park, Rome

Members of the Media who wish to cover the ribbon cutting should contact Major Leo Devine at (315) 334-6515 .

Coverage Opportunities:

Members of the media will have the opportunity to talk to EADS leaders and Airmen about their mission and why this new building will help them do their jobs better. Visual opportunities will include the ribbon-cutting event.

BACKGROUND:

The New EADS Headquarters Bldg.

The building will house EADS' headquarters support and command staff as well as Security Forces and operations personnel. The new building consolidates all personnel into one area, addressing force protection concerns.

"The new building will allow us to bring our people together "under one roof" rather than dispersed throughout the Griffiss Technology and Business Park. This will enhance communication, improve security and in general, offer a better quality of life for the NEADS team," explained Col. John Bartholf, EADS commander. "From a force protection perspective, this facilitates consolidation and allows us to provide greater security for both our people and the critical infrastructure we employ to defend our nation."

Eastern Air Defense Sector:

EADS is a component of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) with responsibility for providing intruder detection and air defense coordination of all of the United States East of the Mississippi. EADS is part of the New York Air National Guard but members move between their National Guard and federal status when they conduct the air security mission.

EADS was formerly known as the Northeast Air Defense Sector but the name was officially changed in July, reflecting the commands larger mission.

On Sept. 11, 2001 EADS personnel coordinated the Air Force response to the hijacking of jet liners which were used to crash into the Pentagon and World Trade Center Buildings.