An internal investigation has been initiated by Gen. Glen VanHerck, commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and U.S. Northern Command, following allegations of alcohol consumption in the workplace. The probe was prompted by a recent media inquiry and aims to assess whether alcohol was consumed during work hours or missions.

Gen. VanHerck confirmed the existence of the investigation in a statement to CBS News. He revealed that a walk-through of office spaces was conducted, during which a "relatively small number" of beer and liquor containers were discovered in a secure lock classified workspace. While alcohol is not entirely prohibited in workspaces, there are specific approval processes dictating when and where it can be consumed.

The investigation comes at a time when NORAD and U.S. Northern Command faced intense scrutiny earlier this year due to a breach in North American airspace caused by a Chinese balloon, which raised concerns about gaps in the capabilities of the U.S. military.

NORAD, a bi-national command of the U.S. and Canada responsible for defending North American airspace, along with U.S. Northern Command, which focuses on homeland defense, civil support, and security cooperation within the United States, have both been affected by these allegations.

When asked if concerns about alcohol consumption in the workplace had been previously raised to leadership, Gen. VanHerck stated that since he assumed his position in August 2020, no one had expressed such concerns directly. He also mentioned that previous climate surveys did not report any specific allegations regarding alcohol in the workspace.

Gen. VanHerck reassured CBS News that he does not believe there is a culture problem or any adverse impact on readiness related to alcohol consumption. He expressed confidence in the commands' preparedness to defend North America and the homeland, including recent operations such as the high altitude balloon incident.

The investigation is expected to take several weeks, and Gen. VanHerck emphasized the commitment to transparency. He noted that immediate action will be taken to ensure that policies are adhered to and any findings will be acted upon accordingly.

As the investigation unfolds, it remains to be seen what actions may be necessary to address the concerns over alcohol consumption in NORAD and U.S. Northern Command workspaces.