The North American Aerospace Defense Command, commonly known as NORAD, is once again set to bring holiday cheer by tracking Santa Claus on his Christmas Eve expedition around the world. This beloved tradition, which started back in 1955 following a misprinted phone number, has become synonymous with the holiday season, captivating millions of children eager to know Santa's whereabouts.
Every Christmas Eve, NORAD mobilizes its extensive resources to monitor the jolly old elf's travels. According to Captain Rebecca Garand, speaking to Axios, NORAD relies on three main systems for this task: radars, satellites, and military aircraft, making sure to provide a comprehensive overview of Santa's route both across North America and beyond. "We track Santa using radars including the North Warning System," she explained. "These systems provide NORAD with a continuous picture of Santa's whereabouts."
Santa typically begins his global gift-giving spree at approximately 6 AM ET on Christmas Eve, zigzagging north and south as he moves westward. By the numbers, NORAD expects to receive countless inquiries from families eager to connect with the magic of the season. Last year alone, the organization answered over 400,000 calls through its dedicated hotline, 1-877-Hi-NORAD (1-877-446-6723), where children can ask about Santa's latest location.
Major-General F. William Radiff, NORAD's Director of Operations, remarked, "With the help of radars worldwide and Rudolph's nose, it is a thrill to track Santa every year." The organization not only ensures Santa’s safe passage but also engages with the public through its website, social media, and mobile app, all of which have modernized the way children can interact with this age-old tradition.
This holiday season, volunteers at NORAD, including members of the military and dedicated civilians, will be stationed at Peterson Space Force Base, where they will take calls and provide real-time updates on Santa's flight path. Lieutenant Sean Carter, who manages the NORAD Tracks Santa program, highlighted the significance of these volunteers, saying they are "critical and really are the heart and soul of the program. The outpouring of support" for this initiative "is amazing."
With the advent of technology, NORAD has upgraded its capabilities over the years. Families can now follow Santa’s travels online via the NORAD Santa Tracker, which provides live updates on his location. The tracker officially goes live each year at midnight on December 24, showcasing not only Santa’s route but also how many gifts he has distributed around the globe.
NORAD’s involvement extends beyond just keeping track of Santa. The organization plays a key role in national defense, using its sophisticated radar and satellite systems for monitoring airspace threats year-round. This dual function has allowed NORAD to become part of holiday lore, blending national security with festive fun. Major-General Radiff emphasized, "NORAD monitors the skies and it’s all about keeping children safe and maintaining the magic of Christmas."
The origins of the NORAD Santa tracking tradition are rooted in kindness. It all began when Colonel Harry Shoup answered calls from children mistakenly seeking Santa's hotline due to the misprinted phone number. Rather than redirect them, Shoup decided to embrace the holiday spirit, assuring them Santa was being looked after. This spontaneous gesture sparked what has now become nearly 70 years of tracking Santa Claus.
And it's not just NORAD's operations; military personnel at RAF Fylingdales aid the effort from the UK, providing early warning services and keeping tabs on Santa. Flight Lieutenant Rich Weeks, involved with RAF Fylingdales, humorously remarked, "Out of our two missions of tracking ballistic missiles and tracking objects in space, tracking Santa at Christmas is the most important job we do."
Children are already tuned in, waiting to see if Santa's sleigh will pass over their neighborhoods. This year, NORAD is expected to engage even more comprehensively with the public, offering opportunities for festive fun through games and educational resources available at noradsanta.org.
With families tuning in from all over the globe, waiting eagerly to hear about Santa’s stops around the world, the excitement builds as he is tracked through continents and time zones under the watchful eyes of NORAD's dedicated volunteers.
It’s clear this holiday season, the tradition of NORAD Tracks Santa is more than just a whimsical experience; it is interwoven with the rich fabric of Christmas joy and the spirit of giving, ensuring every child’s wish is made just a bit brighter.
