Astoria, OR – For nearly seven decades, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) has embraced a beloved holiday tradition—tracking Santa Claus as he journeys across the globe delivering gifts to children. This festive practice began in 1955, not as a planned event, but as a happy accident. A child, attempting to call Santa Claus, mistakenly dialed the phone number of NORAD’s predecessor, the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD). Colonel Harry Shoup, the officer on duty, responded by using available tracking tools to assure the young caller that Santa was indeed on his way.
Since that serendipitous moment, NORAD has made it a holiday mission to track Santa’s progress every Christmas Eve. Today, the organization employs an array of high-tech tools, including ground, air, and space-based sensors, to monitor Santa’s journey. The operation has grown over the years, with dedicated teams working to follow the jolly man’s sleigh in real-time as he travels from country to country.
In an exciting twist to the annual tradition, NORAD also involves fighter jets, including F-15 Eagles stationed at the Portland Air National Guard Base. Pilots are occasionally called upon to fly alongside Santa, ensuring that everything remains on track. Lt. Col. Bradley “Mac” Young, an instructor pilot with the Oregon Air National Guard’s 142nd Wing, explains how the F-15’s advanced radar system plays a crucial role in spotting Santa’s sleigh and reindeer in the night sky.
“Our radar system, the AESA radar, helps us pick out Santa’s sleigh and the magical reindeer,” Young says. “The giant bubble canopy of the F-15 also allows us to spot Rudolph’s bright red nose, ensuring we’re right there, flying alongside him.”
Although Santa has never needed assistance in his annual mission, NORAD pilots take pride in offering their support. The experience of flying alongside the festive icon is one that resonates deeply with the pilots, knowing that their participation, while small, adds to the magic of the holiday season.
“To have the opportunity to be a part of something so magical is an incredible feeling,” Young says. “Every child wakes up on Christmas morning to find gifts under their tree, and knowing that we’ve played a role in making that happen is something we’re very proud of.”
Over the years, NORAD’s Santa tracker has become an iconic symbol of the holiday season. The organization’s commitment to ensuring that Santa’s mission is tracked and supported reflects the spirit of the season—bringing joy, wonder, and a sense of wonderment to children around the world. For NORAD, it’s not just about tracking a sleigh; it’s about being part of something much larger—the magic of Christmas.
