Airmen support space shuttle launch Published April 5, 2010 CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla. (AFNS) -- Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command Region and Air Forces Northern officials provided airspace control and manning support to the successful launch of Space Shuttle Discovery April 5 here. CONR members ensured airspace sovereignty by enforcing the Federal Aviation Administration's temporary flight restriction area established around Kennedy Space Center. CONR members performed the Operation Noble Eagle mission for the launch using F-15 Eagle fighters from the 125th Fighter Wing at the Jacksonville Air National Guard Base, Fla. CONR officials also deployed the Joint-Based Expeditionary Connectivity Center team to Cape Canaveral AFS to provide an overarching air picture to the supported entities. AFNORTH officials provided the headquarters manning for U.S. Northern Command's JTF-STS, responsible for the search and rescue of the astronauts and recovery of the orbiter if the need arises. AFNORTH officials also serve as the operational level focal point for situational understanding and crisis response to space shuttle mission contingencies. "As members of CONR, we are proud to support and protect the skies overhead the shuttle while AFNORTH personnel provide manning for potential search and rescue operations," said Col. Scott Barberides, the Joint Task Force-Space Transportation System commander.