For the 68th year, a unique military operation is preparing to launch from Northern Ontario. The North American Aerospace Defense Command, better known as NORAD, is once again ready to track the flight of Santa Claus on Christmas Eve.
The North Bay Watch: A Canadian Tradition
The critical task of monitoring Santa's approach to Canadian airspace falls to the dedicated personnel at 22 Wing/Canadian Forces Base (CFB) North Bay. As in years past, the crew is on high alert, waiting for the moment Saint Nick enters their area of responsibility. This long-standing tradition blends holiday cheer with the serious technological capabilities of one of the world's most advanced aerospace warning systems.
More Than Six Decades of Holiday Cheer
The NORAD Tracks Santa program began in 1955 due to a misprinted phone number in a newspaper advertisement. A child trying to call Santa reached the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) operations hotline instead. The Director of Operations at the time, Colonel Harry Shoup, instructed his staff to provide updates on Santa's location to all children who called, establishing a beloved custom. When NORAD replaced CONAD in 1958, it continued the mission.
Today, the program is a massive volunteer effort. On December 24th, hundreds of personnel at NORAD's headquarters at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado and at sites like CFB North Bay donate their time to answer phones and emails from children worldwide. They provide real-time updates on Santa's position as he makes his global journey.
How the Tracking Works
While the magic of Santa's flight remains, NORAD uses a playful explanation of its technology to entertain families. According to NORAD, they employ four high-tech systems:
- Radar: The North Warning System of 47 installations across northern Canada and Alaska provides the first alert that Santa has lifted off from the North Pole.
- Satellites: Geosynchronous satellites with infrared sensors pick up the heat signature from Rudolph's famous red nose.
- Santa Cams: High-speed, digital cameras positioned around the world capture images of Santa and his reindeer team.
- Fighter Jets: Canadian CF-18s and American F-16s from NORAD sometimes perform friendly intercepts to welcome Santa to North America.
Families can follow Santa's progress themselves on Christmas Eve through the official NORAD Tracks Santa website and mobile apps, which feature a 3D tracker, games, and videos. The operation is a heartwarming example of a military organization dedicating resources to foster global goodwill and childhood wonder during the holiday season.
