Retiring NORAD-Northcom: No unfinished business, but concerns about aging radar, fighter jets

Retiring NORAD commander: No unfinished business

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. — The retiring general in charge of NORAD and the U.S. Northern Command says he’s leaving behind no unfinished business but has concerns about the nation’s aging radar system and jet fighter fleet.

Air Force Gen. Gene Renuart (REN’-yoo-art) spoke Thursday at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs. Peterson is headquarters for the North American Aerospace Defense Command, a joint U.S.-Canada command that monitors air and space threats, and the Northern Command, which oversees the U.S. military’s homeland defense.

He’s been in charge of both since March 2007. He says he departs feeling good about the direction the two operations have taken.

Navy Vice Adm. James A. Winnefeld Jr. will take over.