Each Christmas Eve, a familiar question echoes in homes across the globe: where is Santa Claus? For seven decades, an unlikely source has provided the answer: the North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD. This military organisation, born from the tensions of the Cold War, has transformed its serious mission of monitoring North American airspace into a beloved festive tradition, bringing joy to millions by tracking Saint Nick's worldwide gift-giving journey.
The Festive Operation: Volunteers, Tech and Heartwarming Calls
This year, the magic continues with over 1,000 dedicated volunteers manning the special 1-877-HI-NORAD hotline. They will be ready from 4am until midnight Mountain Standard Time on Christmas Eve, fielding inquiries from excited children and adults alike. For the first time, callers outside North America can also join in via the programme's website, which offers real-time updates on Santa's progress in nine languages, including English and Japanese.
The scale of the operation is immense. In 2024 alone, the festively decorated hangar at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs received a staggering 380,000 calls. The interactions range from the amusing to the deeply touching. Colonel Kelly Frushour, a NORAD spokesperson, recalled a call from a young girl worried Santa was heading for the International Space Station, where astronauts were reportedly stranded. "Thankfully, by the time the call was over, Santa Claus had moved on," Frushour said, reassuring the child he was not trapped in space.
Michelle Martin, a NORAD staffer, shared another poignant story about Henry, a man with special needs who calls faithfully every year. He once asked if the jet pilot escorting Santa could leave a note confirming he was safely in bed. Martin explained Santa travels "faster than starlight," highlighting the charming blend of imagination and military precision that defines the event.
Cold War Origins: The Accidental Start of a Tradition
This worldwide phenomenon began with a delightful mistake in 1955. NORAD's predecessor, the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD), was on high alert for potential nuclear threats from the Soviet Union. A child, following a Sears newspaper advertisement, mistakenly dialled the combat operations centre's number, asking to speak to Santa.
The commander on duty, Air Force Colonel Harry Shoup, chose not to disappoint. In a 1999 interview, he vividly recalled telling the first caller, "Ho, ho, ho, I am Santa," much to his crew's bewilderment. He then instructed his staff to play along and begin tracking Santa's mythical journey. By 23 December of that year, The Associated Press was reporting that CONAD was officially monitoring Santa's progress.
While the exact details of that first call are part of festive lore—with some debate over whether it was a misprinted number or a call to a secret line—the outcome is undeniable. What started as a compassionate response by Colonel Shoup ignited a tradition that would outlast the Cold War itself.
Serious Tech for a Jolly Mission
Despite Santa posing no military threat, NORAD employs its formidable, year-round detection network to follow his sleigh. Colonel Frushour explained that tracking begins precisely at the international date line over the Pacific Ocean. The command uses a sophisticated combination of radar, satellites, and fighter jets.
In a charming technical detail, she noted that Rudolph's glowing red nose emits a distinct heat signature, similar to a missile, which NORAD's advanced satellites can easily detect. This blend of cutting-edge defence technology and festive folklore is a hallmark of the operation.
The tradition is a stark contrast to NORAD's original, sombre purpose. The command once operated from inside the hardened Cheyenne Mountain complex, a network of tunnels blasted from granite designed to withstand a nuclear attack. Today, that same organisation brings a message of peace and joy to the world.
From a simple wrong number during the Cold War to a global celebration followed by millions, NORAD's Santa tracking service proves that even the most serious institutions can wholeheartedly embrace the magic and spirit of Christmas. It remains a testament to the enduring power of kindness, imagination, and festive cheer.
