Norad crew waiting for Santa to fly over Canada as annual holiday track underway

Santa Claus has checked his list and knows who’s been naughty and nice this year.

Departing from the North Pole while we were all sleeping, his journey around the world bringing presents and Christmas cheer for all of the good boys and girls who believe is underway.

North American Aerospace Defence Command officers tracking Santa Claus' location. (Eric Tashner/CTV News Northern Ontario)

While Canadian children have to patiently wait for him to drop down their chimney, the flight crew at the North American Aerospace Defence Command (Norad) out of North Bay, Ont. also waits for him to arrive.

“For us, it’s a very monumental task,” said United States Air Force MSgt. Troy Hall, an operations superintendent at the base.

The exterior of 22 Wing/Canadian Forces Base North Bay in March 2020. (File photo/Eric Taschner/CTV News Northern Ontario)

The flight crew, 21 Aerospace Control and Warning Squadron, nicknamed ‘Voodoo Flight’ at 22 Wing/Canadian Forces Base is tasked with a delicate holiday mission and tradition: to identify Santa, his sleigh and trusty reindeer when they fly over the country.

“It’s my first year doing it,” said Capt. Gabrielle Cardin, a weapons director at the base.

“So, I’ll be excited to see Santa and hear him as this is my first posting here.”

Anything that flies over Canada’s air space must be identified and receive clearance, even Santa Claus himself.

“Every day we look at thousands of aircraft coming in from the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans,” said Cardin to reporters earlier this month.

 When he’s first spotted, the team jumps right into action.

“We have a system of radars along the northern part of Canada called the North Warning System and that radar system is what will initially pick up Santa Claus’ departure from the North Pole,” said Cpl. Colby Ramson, a weapons assistant and data link operator.

NORAD uses infrared sensors, ground radar and satellites to track Santa Claus and ensure they are dealing with the genuine Saint Nicholas. (Supplied/North American Aerospace Defense Command)

Using other equipment like infrared sensors and satellites, the crew will identify that it is indeed ‘Jolly Old Saint Nick.’ CF-18 jets are then scrambled to escort him safely while he delivers his gifts.

“Santa only comes once a year. This is our only chance for us to see him,” said Hall.

• Download the CTV News app now
• Get local breaking news alerts
• Daily newsletter with the top local stories emailed to your inbox

Norad has been tracking Santa since 1955 – after a young child dialled the misprinted phone number from a department store advertisement in the local newspaper.

That phone call rang into the Continental Air Defense Command Operations Center in Col Springs, Colo.

The operations centre director was quick to realize a mistake had been made and assured the youngster that he was Santa and gave his location.

The tradition continued when Norad was formed in 1958 and each year since, the military men and women have dutifully reported Santa's location every December 24th since.

North American Aerospace Defence Command officers tracking Santa Claus' location. (Eric Tashner/CTV News Northern Ontario)

Tracking Santa out of North Bay has been the focal point in the country for over 40 years. For many of the crew members, they recall when they were younger, scanning the website anxiously waiting.

• Want more North Bay news? Check out its local news page

“The Norad Santa website, that was one of my favorite things to do. I used to check it out with my younger siblings. My youngest brother Oscar is nine-years-old and he's pretty excited,” said Ramson said.

“My older sister, Susan, works in before and after school care with young children. So, she told all of them that I'll be a part of this and they think it's really, really cool.”

NORAD uses infrared sensors, ground radar and satellites to track Santa Claus and ensure they are dealing with the genuine Saint Nicholas. (Supplied)

While he doesn’t have an exact flight path, it's expected Santa will fly over the Canadian Maritimes around 9 p.m., flying west.

That means that young children should be in bed dreaming long before he arrives. When he does fly over, the crew says they will be ready to welcome him.

“I’m super excited to be a part of the team,” said Hall.

2024 marks the 69th year that Norad is tracking Santa. Each year, at least 100,000 anxious children call into the NOARD Tracks Santa headquarters to inquire about Santa's location and now millions of families across the globe follow online.

A North American Aerospace Defence Command officer tracking Santa Claus' location and standing by to advise callers of his location. (Eric Tashner/CTV News Northern Ontario)

Curious trackers can call 1-877-HI-NORAD (1-877-446-6723) to ask live operators about Santa's location from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. ET.

A North American Aerospace Defence Command officer tracking Santa Claus' location and standing by to advise callers of his location. (Eric Tashner/CTV News Northern Ontario)