NORAD is tracking Santa tonight
Peterson Air Force Base, CO – NORAD is tracking Santa’s flight across the world just like it’s predecessor did, the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD), for more than 50 years.
Back in 1955 after a Colorado Springs-based Sears Roebuck & Co. advertisement misprinted the telephone number for children to call Santa. Instead of reaching Santa, the phone number put kids through to the CONAD Commander-in-Chief’s operations “hotline.” This began the tradition.
The Director of Operations at the time, Colonel Harry Shoup, had his staff check the radar for indications of Santa making his way south from the North Pole. Children who called were given updates on his location, and a tradition was born.
Where is Santa? Track his journey across the globe Wilson Wong
The coronavirus isn t going to keep Santa Claus from coming to town.
The North American Aerospace Defense Command, which tracks everything in the skies of the United States and Canada, is tracking Santa’s sleigh and his reindeer for its 65th year on Christmas Eve.
Families can follow the journey of Old Saint Nicholas on NORAD’s website as he travels and delivers gifts to children across the world.
In December 1955, Col. Harry Shoup was working his shift at the Continental Air Defense Command Operations Center, a predecessor to NORAD, when he answered the phone in his office.
Normally, up to 160 volunteers crowd into a conference room at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Col., taking two-hour shifts to answer the phones as eager children call to see if Santa and his sleigh have reached their rooftops. All together, 1,500 people over 20 hours have participated in the call centre in the past, fielding more than 130,000 phone calls, beginning at 3 a.m. Kamloops time on Christmas Eve. This year, due to safety restrictions forced by the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of volunteers has been drastically cut to what NORAD expects will be fewer than 10 people per shift. So, some callers may be able to once again get through to a member of the military or other volunteer when they dial the NORAD Tracks Santa toll-free number, 1-877-Hi-NORAD. But others will get a recorded update on Santa’s current location.
Santa Claus is coming to town and here's how to track him! On December 24th it's easy to follow Santa's flight around the world. For 65 years the Nort.