> I mean, I guess you could argue that's not their "primary mission", but then I don't think that is in conflict with the OP's assertion that they "dropped the ball".
Part of what you quoted does seem to be in conflict with the article's assertion that NORAD dropped the ball:
"The 9/11 Commission determined that on the morning of September 11, the FAA deliberately did not adequately notify NORAD of the hijackings of Flights 11, 77, 93, or 175 in time for escort aircraft to reach the hijacked flights."
So, if anything, that means the FAA dropped the ball, not NORAD.
Part of what you quoted does seem to be in conflict with the article's assertion that NORAD dropped the ball:
"The 9/11 Commission determined that on the morning of September 11, the FAA deliberately did not adequately notify NORAD of the hijackings of Flights 11, 77, 93, or 175 in time for escort aircraft to reach the hijacked flights."
So, if anything, that means the FAA dropped the ball, not NORAD.