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NORAD Tracks Santa

Track Santa
Track Santa
Track Santa thumbnail
Credit: NORAD
VIRIN: 221216-F-NW053-001

Every December, millions of families around the world track Santa's Yuletide journey through the North American Aerospace Defense Command's Santa Tracker. "NORAD Tracks Santa" is a holiday tradition that started from humble origins — and as a fluke — but has now grown into a massive volunteer operation.

Two service members wearing Santa hats, one standing, converse while looking at monitors displaying radar graphics.
Ready to Track Santa
Air Force Master Sgt. Brian Burgess, standing, and Maj. Bonnie Bosworth of the New York Air National Guard's 224th Air Defense Squadron train for Santa tracking operations on Dec. 16, 2022 at the Eastern Air Defense Sector headquarters in Rome, N.Y. Part of the North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, EADS is responsible for the air defense of the eastern United States.
Credit: Air Force Master Sgt. Kim Dagata
VIRIN: 221216-F-VR983-0002F
A graphic depiction of Santa and reindeer flying the sleigh away from the Statue of Liberty towards the moon.
NORADTracks Santa
NORADTracks Santa
Credit: DOD screenshot
VIRIN: 221223-D-D0439-101F
Three people sit at a conference table with Christmas decorations while monitoring a large screen on the wall.
Santa Tracking Volunteers
Volunteers answer phones and emails from children around the globe during the annual NORAD Tracks Santa event at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., Dec. 24, 2021.
Credit: Jhomil Bansil, Air Force
VIRIN: 211224-F-HL664-156F

History of Tracking Santa

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(This article was originally published Dec. 23, 2022)

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