NORAD tracks Santa in treasured Holiday tradition

A delicate holiday mission is now underway at 22 Wing/Canadian Forces Base in North Bay, Ont.

As Santa Claus and his trusty reindeer depart the North Pole to begin their worldwide Christmas journey, the dedicated team at the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) stands ready. Their annual task is to identify and escort Jolly Old Saint Nick across North American skies, ensuring his safe passage as he delivers cheer to children on his nice list.

Critical, cherished annual duty

The crews of 21 Aerospace Control and Warning Squadron, nicknamed Voodoo Flight, have meticulously checked their equipment in anticipation of this unique operation. For the military personnel involved, this is far more than a routine exercise.

“This is one of the most important missions that we do every single year,” said Lt.-Col. Stephen Buckley, the director of operations for the Canadian Air Defence Sector.

Buckley emphasized that every object in North American airspace must be identified, even Santa’s sleigh. The squadron employs a sophisticated network of technology to fulfill this vital task.

“We use a system of systems, a network of sensors, if you will,” Buckley said.

“The North Warning System is one of those systems that we use to first track and then identify every single object that enters North American airspace.”

Leveraging technology for a unique mission

The squadron maintains a unique technical relationship with Santa, which allows them to monitor his progress despite the extraordinary nature of his flight.

“Because of that special technical relationship we have with Santa Claus, we’re able to identify him as his sleigh does move outside of the normal bounds of physics, space and time,” Buckley said.

When Santa is first spotted using satellites and infrared sensors, the team springs into action. They radio ahead to colleagues at other bases, prompting CF-18 fighter jets from 3 Wing Bagotville in Quebec and 4 Wing Cold Lake in Alberta to scramble. These jets will then escort Santa safely across the country as he delivers presents.

Decade-long tradition born from a child’s phone call

This year marks the 70th anniversary of NORAD tracking Santa, a tradition that began accidentally in 1955. A young child dialed a misprinted phone number from a department store advertisement, reaching the Continental Air Defense Command Operations Center in Colorado Springs. The director on duty assured the caller he was Santa and provided his location. The tradition was formally adopted when NORAD was formed in 1958 and has continued every Christmas Eve since.

Today, North Bay’s base has been Canada’s focal point for the holiday track for more than four decades. At least 100,000 children call the NORAD Tracks Santa hotline each Christmas Eve, while millions more follow the journey online.

Crew members uphold a personal and precious legacy

For many of the service members now tasked with the mission, tracking Santa is a deeply personal tradition they enjoyed in their own childhoods.

“This is my first time participating and it’s very special to me because I used to watch it online as a kid,” said USAF SSgt. Vimary Betancourt Ortiz, a surveillance operator within the squadron.

Now, they share the duty with their own families. Cpl. Raymond Edward James Michael, an aerospace control operator, noted the excitement it brings to his relatives.

“I have two nieces and a nephew as well. They’re all aware that I will be tracking Santa,” Michael said.

“They’re very excited. They keep pestering me about it.”

While his exact flight path is not known, 22 Wing expects Santa will fly over Newfoundland and the Maritimes around 9:00 p.m. ET, moving westward. The team will be ready to welcome him, upholding a mission that embodies the Christmas spirit across the country.

Curious trackers can call 1-877-HI-NORAD (1-877-446-6723) to ask live operators about Santa’s location from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. ET, or follow his progress online via the NORAD Tracks Santa website.

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