December 14, 2009

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. — The North American Aerospace Defense Command is getting ready to track Santa and media are invited to participate in many different ways, to include conducting live interviews with senior NORAD officers on Dec. 24.  Here are the many ways media can participate:

Digital Video and Imagery Distribution System (DVIDS) - Through DVIDS, NORAD will offer opportunities for live interviews from the NORAD Tracks Santa Operations Center as well as audio, video, B-Roll, historical and “Santa Cam” files.  

Senior NORAD officers, who are actively tracking Santa, will be available for live satellite interviews on Dec. 24 from 7:00 - 11:30 a.m. EST and 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. EST.  On-scene audio-visual specialists will help facilitate all interviews.  Scheduling is necessary in order to accommodate all interested news organizations.

Broadcasters interested in arranging an interview, or downloading video, audio, B-Roll, historical and “Santa Cam” files should contact the DVIDS 24-hour media hotline (678) 421-6612 or 877-DVIDS-247 or by going to www.dvidshub.net and clicking on the media request link.  Please adhere to the broadcasting instructions.

Tracking maps - In addition, broadcasters may embed the tracking map on their Web site or broadcasts by going to http://www.noradsanta.org/en/track3d.html.

NTS Media Operations Center - Media outlets wanting an update on Dec. 24 may call into the NTS Media Center at (719) 556-1910 or (719) 556-5128.  Be advised that phone lines may be extremely busy.  

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Note to Editors: All NTS products, including images and video, can be appropriately used without seeking the approval of NORAD.

For other information related to NORAD Tracks Santa, including scheduling interviews with a NORAD Tracks Santa spokesperson, please send an email to: nnc.pa.nts.omb@northcom.mil or Desmond.james.ca@norad.mil.

For additional information, contact Joyce Frankovis, at Joyce.Frankovis@northcom.mil.