It’s that time of year when the sound of sleigh bells echoes through the night sky as Santa begins his journey around the world to spread joy with presents.
Every year since 1955, as children around the world await the arrival of Santa Claus, the United States Department of Defense (DoD) makes sure to bring them along on his journey, and they’ve continued the tradition this year.
Once again, for the 68th year, the DoD ensured Santa’s safe journey as he delivered all of his gifts to children around the world.
The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and its predecessor, the Continental Air Defense Command, which ensures the protection and defense of airspace, use their unique skills to watch Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, an annual tradition which started accidentally 68 years ago.
NORAD provides alerts on Santa’s movements every year around 4am. EST on Christmas Eve.
The agency uses its website and app to provide unclassified details about Santa’s whereabouts.
Children around the world can call 1-877-HI-NORAD to ask, “Where’s Santa Claus?” One of NORAD’s 1,000 volunteers will provide the information without revealing national security secrets.
According to NORAD, the agency typically receives about 130,000 calls to the NORAD Tracks Santa hotline.
NORAD Tracks Santa Program Manager 1st Lt. Sean Carter said, “Over the years, this particular program has seen many different iterations, sometimes leaning more toward the festivities of the holiday season, other times celebrating whimsy.
“After all, tracking Santa is a military operation, and having Hangar 123 as the call center’s new home couldn’t be more fitting.”
How did NORAD start tracking Santa?
It may seem unlikely, but mistakes can occasionally have positive results.
In 1955, a child trying to contact Santa accidentally called the unlisted number of the Continental Air Command Operations Center located in Colorado.
The phone number in a newspaper ad encouraging children to call Santa was misspelled.
Colonel Harry Shoup, Director of Operations, received the call and instructed his staff to look for any radar signs that Santa was moving south from the North Pole.
After this lucky incident, the State Department began tracking the whereabouts of St. Nick on Christmas Eve each year.
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