This history of NORAD’s annual Santa Tracking

You don't have to just guess where Santa is on Christmas Eve; NORAD is tracking the
flight of Santa, his sleigh and all the reindeer.

Imagine a time when they only way to know where Santa was on Christmas Eve was to hear the prancing hoofs of Dasher, Dancer, Prancer and Vixen; Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen on the roof. Oh, and of course, along came Rudolph later on when he solved the crisis of that terrible blizzard decades ago.

Today, thankfully, we’re no longer in the dark. Coming as something of a surprise, it was the military that cast light on Santa’s travels around the globe delivering toys to boys and girls around the world.

NORAD, the North American Aerospace Defense Command, has developed and improved equipment designed to track objects in flight around the globe. It was only a matter of time that their equipment would reach a state of high-tech capacity that would allow NORAD to pick up and track Santa, his sleigh and reindeer in flight.

That technological advancement first came to light in 1955. That year, a local newspaper advertisement provided a phone number to speak directly with Santa. A child sought to speak with Santa while the jolly old elf was in flight. But the youngster dialed the wrong number.

The Operations Center Director at Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD, NORAD’s predecessor formed in 1958) answered the phone and took the child’s question. Rather than pointing out that the child had gotten a wrong number, he assumed the role of Santa in order not to disappoint the child.

At some point, the folks at CONAD realized that they were uniquely qualified to track Santa and his sleigh. They began loyally observing the flight pattern of the reindeer, sleigh and Saint Nick. They dutifully reported that information to children around the world.

While NORAD’s #1 Priority is homeland defense, they have accepted the job of tracking Santa.

With today’s high-tech satellite systems and high-powered radar, along with specially equipped jet fighters, NORAD is able to provide an up-to-the-minute report of Santa’s position.

With Internet technology, NORAD is able to deliver that crucial information to children and families in real time. They do so in nine languages using 2D and 3D maps, Santa Camera videos and a Countdown Calendar. Currently, they have 9.64 million users.

To follow NORAD’s reports, go www.noradsanta.org. And, from all of us here at Performance Unlimited, may you and yours have a Very Merry Christmas.

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