As Christmas Eve approaches, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) is set to launch its annual “Tracking Santa” event on the evening of December 24th. Using radar and satellite systems, NORAD will simulate tracking Santa Claus as he travels the world delivering gifts, adding a touch of warmth and whimsy to the holiday season.
The Pentagon’s chief spokesperson, Sean Parnell, expressed that the event has become a festive tradition in which families around the world participate together, reflecting the spirit of the organization’s ongoing public service for over 70 years.
According to Parnell, NORAD’s official Santa tracking platform will go live on Christmas Eve, offering real-time tracking services for the public to follow Santa’s latest whereabouts.
Established in 1958, NORAD has been responsible for core missions such as air threat warning, air defense operations, and space surveillance in the North American region. While the “Tracking Santa” event is symbolic, the radar and monitoring methods used are based on NORAD’s core capabilities.
Parnell also extended appreciation to the U.S. military personnel and allied forces stationed around the world during Christmas, highlighting their dedication to national security and freedom amidst celebrations with family back home.
During Christmas Eve, over a thousand military personnel, civilian staff, and local volunteers from the U.S. and Canada will take turns at the “Santa Tracking Center” at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado, answering hundreds of thousands of calls from around the globe to provide updates on Santa’s whereabouts for children.
This year marks the 70th anniversary of NORAD’s establishment, and the tracking operation will officially commence at 4 a.m. on December 24th (U.S. Mountain Time). The official tracking website, noradsanta.org, will go live that night, offering real-time maps, Santa’s location updates, and videos from the “Santa Cam.” Children and parents around the world can dial the toll-free number 1-877-HI-NORAD (1-877-446-6723) to inquire about Santa’s current location from volunteers, with service running until midnight.
The connection between NORAD and Santa Claus dates back to 1955 when a child, trying to reach Santa based on a department store ad, accidentally called the “Continental Air Defense Command” (NORAD’s predecessor) due to a printing error in the phone number. Duty commander, Air Force Colonel Harry Shoup, decided to play along and describe Santa’s whereabouts to the child to maintain the holiday magic.
This heartwarming tradition has continued since NORAD’s official establishment in 1958, evolving into a holiday custom spanning over half a century. Today, the “Tracking Santa” event is not only a fairytale entertainment but also serves as an important window for NORAD to showcase its history, humanitarian care, and public image to the world.