Every year, NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command), which is based in Colorado, lets kids and families around the world know where Santa is on Christmas Eve.
Families can use NORAD's Santa Tracker to see Father Christmas in 3D as he goes through the South Pacific, Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. This has become a very popular custom.
From its headquarters, scores of volunteers answer endless calls to 1-877-HI-NORAD. They and other volunteers will answer "When will he visit my house?
Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon Press Secretary, adds, "NORAD tracks Santa across the world on Christmas Eve. On the 24th, children and families worldwide can call NORAD's live operators to ask about Santa's position in its 68th year.
A kid called NORAD's predecessor, the Continental Air Defense Command, one night in 1955, thinking she was contacting Santa. Air Force Col. Harry Shoup, the on-duty commander, answered the call.
He "answered the call, thought it was a prank at first, but then realized what had happened and assured the child that he was Santa, and thus started the tradition," said Schlachter.
NORAD monitors North American airspace for threats. An infrared signature from Rudolph's nose triggers the Santa operation early Christmas Eve at radar stations in northern Canada and Alaska.
Large "unclassified" screens in a festively adorned command post at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs reveal it all. Volunteers have phones, garland, little Christmas trees, chocolates, and coffee at their tables.