On the eve of Christmas, it is not just the children across the globe who are filled with anticipation and curiosity, but there are others too who have their eyes fixed upon the vast expanse of the sky. In Colorado, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) is once again employing its advanced technological prowess to monitor and trace the whereabouts of Santa Claus as he sets out on his customary voyage around the world.
NORAD, which is mainly responsible for keeping the airspace of the United States and Canada safe, fully embraces the joyful atmosphere of the holiday season by providing timely information on Santa’s current location. With the help of radar, sensors, aircraft, and a delightful amount of Christmas joy, this military command has transformed its noradsanta.org website, social media platforms, and mobile app into an engaging space where children can eagerly track the journey of St. Nick.
Colonel Elizabeth Mathias, the chief spokesperson for NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command), disclosed that the military utilizes the same technology employed for everyday security to keep an eye on Santa’s sleigh. In her statement, she elaborated that they possess the ability to track the luminous radiance emitted by Rudolph’s crimson nose. While possessing a thorough intelligence evaluation of the capabilities possessed by Santa’s sleigh, Mathias alluded to the likelihood of encountering some cutting-edge advancements this year, including the plausible utilization of artificial intelligence.
The captivating tradition of keeping tabs on Santa’s whereabouts can be traced all the way back to the year 1955. It was during this time that an Air Force Colonel by the name of Harry Shoup found himself on duty at NORAD’s predecessor. On a fateful day, he received an unexpected call from a child who had mistakenly dialed a misprinted telephone number listed in a newspaper advertisement. Unbeknownst to the young caller, she believed she was connecting with none other than Santa Claus himself. In a moment of quick thinking and warmth, Colonel Shoup decided to embrace the role of Santa and play along with the delightful charade. Little did he know, this impromptu act would ignite an enduring tradition.
Fast forward to the present day, and NORAD has come to anticipate welcoming approximately 1,100 enthusiastic volunteers to their bustling operations center situated at Peterson Space Force Base. These devoted individuals are poised and ready, eagerly awaiting incoming calls from children across the globe. Their mission? To offer valuable updates on Santa’s precise location in real-time. With dedicated hearts and generous spirits, these volunteers ensure that the magic of Christmas remains alive and well for countless eager youngsters.
On Christmas Eve, from midnight MST to midnight PST, you can reach the NORAD operations center directly at 1-877 HI-NORAD (1-877-446-6723), if you’re interested in tracking Santa’s route. While everyone waits for Santa to finish his delivery, NORAD keeps combining the critical responsibility of protecting airspace with the joyful task of bringing Christmas magic to kids all around the world.