Where is Santa? US-Canada military 'track' his gift-giving journey across the world

For nearly seven decades, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), a joint organisation between the United States and Canada which is responsible for tracking everything flying in and around the two countries, has also been fulfilling its mission to track when you will receive your present from Santa Claus on Christmas.

Track Santa on his journey across the world

In continuation of its decades-long tradition of tracking Santa’s whereabouts and helping children around the world find out when his reindeer-powered, present-filled sleigh is coming to their town, NORAD’s Santa tracker is now live.

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The 3-D, interactive website at www.noradsanta.org shows Santa and his reindeer on their imagined worldwide delivery route. It also allows users to learn about different cities across the world and features interactive games, videos, and educational content to engage children.

How did this Christmas tradition begin?

The story of how the tracker came to be dates to 1955 when a Colorado newspaper advertisement printed a phone number to connect children with Santa but accidentally directed them to the hotline for the military centre.

A child then dialled the unlisted phone number of the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) Operations Center in Colorado Springs in the US state of Colorado, believing she was calling Santa.

To avoid disappointing the children calling, NORAD's director of operations at the time, Colonel Harry Shoup, ordered his staff to check the radar to see where Santa might be and update the children on his location.

From there, a tradition which is now in its 68th year, began.

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The Santa Tracker has since become a global phenomenon, with people around the world eagerly awaiting its launch each year.

How does it work?

The Santa tracking operation begins on Christmas Eve when radar stations pick up an infrared signal emanating from Rudolph, Santa’s favourite “Red Nose” reindeer.

Like every year,NORAD also continued the tradition of setting up a temporary call centre out of its base inColoradoto answer children's burning questions.

Major General Allan M Pepin, who is in the midst of coordinating his first mission with NORAD’s Santa Tracker, in an interview with Reuters, said how he takes this task seriously, especially as a grandfather to a two-year-old.

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“For me now, as a grandfather to a two-year-old, this is my first time doing it, first time inside this headquarters. So it’s my honour to participate in the same way because we know this can bring smiles to people and there’s one thing you can not have enough of - a kid smiling, parents smiling, and bringing that family together for this special time.”

According to the US Army official, the planning starts months in advance and includes civilians, military from the command, and many volunteers from the community and sponsors.

The planning for the next year also begins as soon as this year’s Christmas ends, he told Reuters, adding, “That’s how important this is for the community.”

(With inputs from agencies)