More
than 1,500 American
and Canadian
uniformed personnel,
Department of
Defense civilians,
and members of the
community volunteer
to help track
Santa and answer
thousands of phone
calls every year. Courtesy of NORAD
For over 60 years, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), a binational defensive agency that monitors U.S.–Canadian aerospace for threats, has faithfully tracked the movements of Santa Claus as he travels on Christmas Eve to deliver presents to boys and girls across the world.
This unlikely responsibility is something of a Christmas miracle itself. It began by accident in 1955, when a child called a misprinted phone number in the local newspaper in hopes of reaching Santa. Instead, the phone rang Air Force Col. Harry Shoup’s secret military hotline at the Continental Air Defense Command, NORAD’s predecessor. Quick on his feet, Shoup assured the child that he was indeed Santa Claus and mustered a group of airmen to answer incoming calls for Santa. Since then, what began as a child’s accidental phone call has blossomed into an annual program followed by millions. Now, the volunteer-supported hotline receives at least 130,000 calls each year, dutifully answering queries about Santa’s location.
American Essence spoke with 1st Lt. Sean Carter, this year’s NORAD Tracks Santa program director, to get the insider’s scoop on the magic behind Santa’s incredible journey—and to get the answers that kids young and old most want to hear.
American Essence: What is your job at NORAD? What do you do when you’re not tracking Santa?
Lt. Sean Carter: I am a NORAD and U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) public affairs officer. Outside of my Santa-tracking responsibilities, I help to manage and oversee our community outreach division. We have the greatest job in the DoD (Department of Defense)! It’s our team’s charge to interface with the American and Canadian people—to foster relationships with the beautiful city of Colorado Springs, which NORAD and USNORTHCOM Headquarters call home, to showcase the incredible binational relationship that is wholly unique to the NORAD mission, and to assure our citizens that they can sleep safe and sound while we have the watch.
Courtesy of NORAD
American Essence: What technologies are used to track Santa, and how do they work?
Mr. Carter: The NORAD North Warning System—a powerful radar system with 47 installations strung across northern Canada and Alaska—allows the team here to know the second that Santa begins his flight. Our guiding light, now 67 years since our first foray in Santa tracking, has always been Rudolph’s red nose. It’s that little nose so bright that allows NORAD to track the jolly old fellow’s flight path through infrared technologies.
Once airborne, the same satellites that provide warning of possible missile launches against North America kick into high gear. The intensity of Rudolph’s nose is on par with that of a missile launch, and the satellites have no trouble following their route.
Canadian NORAD fighter pilots, flying CF-18s, take off from Newfoundland and accompany him as he travels through Canada. While in the United States, American NORAD fighter pilots in F-15s, F-16s, and F-22s have the honor of tipping their wings to St. Nick. All of these systems come together to provide NORAD with a very good, continuous picture of his whereabouts.
American Essence: Does Santa know that he’s being tracked?
Mr. Carter: He does indeed! Since 1955, fighter jets have intercepted Santa many, many times. When the jets intercept Santa, it’s always a friendly occasion—they tip their wings to say, “Hi Santa! NORAD is tracking you again this year!” Santa always waves. Seeing the pilots brings out his famous jolly smile and that age-old twinkle in his eye.
American Essence: How big of a team does it take to track Santa?
Mr. Carter: Every holiday season, a team of more than 1,500 Canadian and American uniformed personnel, DoD civilians, and members of the community come together to volunteer to track Santa. It’s no exaggeration to say we receive thousands upon thousands of calls each year regarding Santa’s whereabouts! The NORAD Public Affairs office manages the program, but it wouldn’t be possible without our corporate contributors.
American Essence: Does Santa always travel the same route? If not, what patterns have you noticed in his travel?
Mr. Carter: While his route varies year-to-year, he always visits every home where there are children who believe in him. That said, Santa usually starts at the International Date Line in the Pacific Ocean and travels west. Historically, Santa starts with places in the South Pacific like New Zealand and Australia earlier in his flight, then zigzags across the Eastern and, later on, Western hemispheres. Finally, once he leaves Hawaii, he only has a couple more stops before heading back to the North Pole.
Courtesy of NORAD
American Essence: Does NORAD have any blind spots along Santa’s route?
Mr. Carter: NORAD has zero blind spots along Santa’s route and is able to provide minute-to-minute coverage of his travels. The same multi-domain defensive capabilities NORAD utilizes year round to ensure the safety of North America are also employed on December 24 to ensure Santa’s safe travels.
American Essence: How fast do Santa and his reindeer fly in order to get to every child’s house in a single night? Does their speed change over the journey—as Santa drops off more presents, but eats more cookies?
Mr. Carter: NORAD intelligence reports indicate that Santa does not experience time the way we do. His trip seems to take 24 hours to us, but to Santa it might last days, weeks, or even months. Santa would not want to rush the important job of delivering presents to children and spreading joy to everyone, so the only logical conclusion is that Santa functions within his own space-time continuum—faster than starlight.
To your second question, however, yes! We have verified that at the time of takeoff, Santa—himself of generous girth—has a whopping 60,000 tons’ worth of gifts in tow. Upon his return, the sleigh itself is significantly lighter, though its passenger has nearly quadrupled in generosity. These changes surely play a role in his travels, though we’re not 100 percent sure to what extent.
American Essence: How does Santa navigate bad weather, like snowstorms and thunderstorms?
Mr. Carter: As Santa trackers, we have confirmed that inclement weather affects his travels, but only slightly. The most we’ve seen has been a quick reroute around a storm, but he’s always sure to return to the area before his journey is complete. Our best guess is that Saint Nick has a team of top-notch weather elves that keep him apprised of changes from the North Pole.
American Essence: How many Santa Cams do you place each year, and how do they work?
Mr. Carter: The Santa Cams are very special, highly technical tools that work to slow down time and make Santa’s presence in any given city perceptible to the human eye. While there are some consistent, annual locations, Santa Cams can vary year-to-year depending on a number of conditions. I can confirm that we’re aiming for at least four new Santa Cams to come online this year, so keep an eye out on December 24 to see if you can spot the new cities!
American Essence: What’s the biggest challenge in tracking Santa?
Mr. Carter: The biggest challenge we face is logistics—simply pulling everything together in time for the big day. The program is so special to so many people that there’s a big push to “get it right.” We’re carrying the baton of a 67-year-old program, and we want to do everything in our power to not only honor that legacy, but to pass it off in just as good a condition, if not better, to the next generation. It’s an incredible responsibility, and one we’re honored to bear.
Courtesy of NORAD
American Essence: Over NORAD’s 66 years of tracking Santa, what have been some of the most memorable moments?
Mr. Carter: Just a few years back now, we took a call from the sweetest little girl. She was very worried about her mom, who had deployed overseas just before the holiday season. All she wanted to know was that Santa would be able to find her mom this year, even though she wasn’t at home. It was the team’s great honor to inform the little girl that Santa would indeed have no problem finding her mom wherever she was. There’s no greater satisfaction than using our Santa-tracking tools to bring a little joy, reassurance, and holiday magic into the lives of children.
American Essence: For our readers waiting up for Santa on Christmas Eve, when should they start tuning in to Santa’s movements, and how can they best keep up with them through the night? What’s your best insider’s advice for catching him right as he arrives at their homes?
Mr. Carter: I’m so happy you asked! We know from past experience that Santa typically departs the North Pole by about 6 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (North America) to begin his rounds for the children sleeping in the Eastern hemisphere. That said, only Santa knows when he will arrive at your house. It’s typically between 9 p.m. and midnight, and only when children are asleep! If children are still awake when Santa arrives, he moves on to other homes and returns later.
Hands down, the best way to keep up with his route is our website, NORADSanta.org, or by calling our call center at 1-877-Hi-NORAD (1-877-446-6723). OnStar users can also follow his travels on their devices, and Amazon Alexa users can ask, “Alexa, where’s Santa?” Also, be sure to check the Microsoft, Apple, and Android app stores for our official NORAD Tracks Santa app. Happy holidays, and we hope to hear from you on December 24!
This article was originally published in American Essence magazine.
