NORAD makes final checks and inspections ahead of Santa’s arrival Christmas Eve
Jolly old Saint Nick has checked his list twice and is gearing up for his big journey around the world to bring Christmas cheer to all the good boys and girls.
Anticipating his arrival is the 21 Aerospace Control and Warning Squadron's Voodoo Flight out of 22 Wing/Canadian Forces Base North Bay.
Since 1983, the crew in North Bay has been the focal point in tracking Santa Claus in Canada.
On Christmas Eve, the team will first identify the sleigh flying over Eastern Canada, and then track Santa’s location using ground radar, satellites and infrared sensors before escorting him with RCAF CF-18 jets.
"Once Santa enters Canadian air space, the CF-18s will identity him and they'll escort him across the Canadian air space out west and do a hand over with the U.S. Air Force with the F-16s," said United States Air Force Staff Sgt. Taylor Rowe, who is a data link operator for the crew.
NORAD started tracking Santa in 1955, when an ad directed children to give Santa a phone call directly. However, there was a misprint in the ad. Calls rang through to the Continental Air Defense Command Operations Centre. Operators gave children Santa’s location.
From there, the tradition began and was continued by NORAD in 1958.
“We protect North America 24/7 365 days a year. So that mission is very special,” said 21 Aerospace Control and Warning Squadron's Voodoo Flight Commander Maj. Vanessa Larochelle-Meilleur.
“I remember as a young girl going on the website and seeing where Santa was at. It’s come full circle.”
The NORAD Tracks Santa website is live and is available in eight languages. It features Santa’s North Pole village, which includes a holiday countdown, games, activities, and more.
Those who wish to speak with the men and women on duty on Christmas Eve can call 1-877-hi-norad (1-877-446-6723).
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