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Fact Sheet Article View

FACTSHEET | April 26, 2013

NORAD Tracks Santa

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. - Volunteers for NORAD Tracks Santa take calls at the NTS Operations Center Dec. 24, 2012. More than 1,200 volunteers took over 114,000 calls over a 24-hour period. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Thomas J. Doscher)
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. - Volunteers for NORAD Tracks Santa take calls at the NTS Operations Center Dec. 24, 2012. More than 1,200 volunteers took over 114,000 calls over a 24-hour period. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Thomas J. Doscher)
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. - Volunteers for NORAD Tracks Santa take calls at the NTS Operations Center Dec. 24, 2012. More than 1,200 volunteers took over 114,000 calls over a 24-hour period. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Thomas J. Doscher)
121224-F-YX459-044
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. - Volunteers for NORAD Tracks Santa take calls at the NTS Operations Center Dec. 24, 2012. More than 1,200 volunteers took over 114,000 calls over a 24-hour period. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Thomas J. Doscher)
Photo By: Tech. Sgt. Thomas J. Doscher
VIRIN: 121224-F-YX459-044
24 hours a day, 365 days a year, NORAD tracks everything that flies in and around North America in defense of our homelands. On Dec. 24, we have the very special mission of also tracking Santa.

NORAD has been tracking Santa since 1955 when a young child accidently dialed the unlisted phone number of the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) Operations Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, believing she was calling Santa Claus after seeing a promotion in a local newspaper.

Air Force Colonel Harry Shoup, the commander on duty that night, was quick to realize a mistake had been made, and assured the youngster that CONAD would guarantee Santa a safe journey from the North Pole.

Thus a tradition was born that rolled over to NORAD when it was formed in 1958. Each year since, NORAD has dutifully reported Santa's location on Dec. 24 to millions across the globe.

Thanks to the services and resources generously provided by numerous corporate contributors and volunteers, NORAD Tracks Santa has persevered for more than 60 years. 

More than 1,000 military and civilian volunteers answered nearly 95,000 telephone calls and more than 10,000 e-mails at the NORAD Tracks Santa Operations Center on Christmas Eve at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Gail Braymen
More than 1,000 military and civilian volunteers answered nearly 95,000 telephone calls and more than 10,000 e-mails at the NORAD Tracks Santa Operations Center on Christmas Eve at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Gail Braymen
More than 1,000 military and civilian volunteers answered nearly 95,000 telephone calls and more than 10,000 e-mails at the NORAD Tracks Santa Operations Center on Christmas Eve at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Gail Braymen
071224-A-ZZ000-001
More than 1,000 military and civilian volunteers answered nearly 95,000 telephone calls and more than 10,000 e-mails at the NORAD Tracks Santa Operations Center on Christmas Eve at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Gail Braymen
Photo By: Sgt. 1st Class Gail Braymen
VIRIN: 071224-A-ZZ000-001
Though the program began due to a misdialed number, NORAD Tracks Santa has flourished and is recognized as one of the Department of Defense's largest community outreach programs.

Each year, the NORAD Tracks Santa Web Site receives nearly fifteen million unique visitors from more than 200 countries and territories around the world. Volunteers receive more than 130,000 calls to the NORAD Tracks Santa hotline from children around the globe.

This year, children and the young-at-heart are able to track Santa through Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.

Facebook: @noradsanta

Twitter: @noradsanta

IG: @noradtrackssanta_official

For more information about NORAD Tracks Santa, please visit www.noradsanta.org
For more information about NORAD, please visit www.norad.mil