Every year, servicemen and women from Canada and the United States who are stationed with NORAD (North American Aerospace Defence) volunteer to help track Santa. They field phone calls, answer emails, update social media and more throughout the day, with more than 1500 volunteers helping out each year.  

The tradition started shortly before the creation of NORAD, which is based in Colorado. In 1955, an advertisement in a newspaper in Colorado Springs, Colorado posted the number kids could call to talk to Santa. However, the phone number actually went to the Continental Air Defense Command. The commander on duty answered the first call and ended up directing his staff to answer the calls and provide the updates as the children called in, noting that what they originally thought to have been an unidentified aircraft was likely Santa Claus and his reindeer.  

Speaking to the media earlier this month, Sgt. Maj. James K. Porterfield, NORAD’s Senior Enlisted Leader, stated that they aren’t given a flight plan from Santa, and all they can do is track his progress. However, Santa did provide a message to NORAD that he wanted Sgt. Maj. Porterfield to pass along to children around the globe. 

“What I can tell you is that you need to be in bed by 9:00 p.m.,” Sgt. Maj. Porterfield said. 

Each hour, we will be providing updates on the air, directly from NORAD, as to where Santa is at that moment. You can also follow along online on the Norad Santa website.