For 69 years, the North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, has tracked Santa Claus as he makes his way around the world delivering toys.
This tradition started as a happy accident, when a child mistakenly dialed the predecessor to NORAD asking to speak to Santa. The officer on duty, Col. Harry Shoup, used the detection tools available at the time to let the child know where Santa was.
Besides using ground, air and space-based sensors, NORAD may also direct fighter jets to take off to fly along with Santa, like the F-15 Eagles based at the Portland Air National Guard Base.
"One of the best ways to get up alongside the Jolly Guy and get a nice little ho, ho, ho,” says Lt. Col. Bradley "Mac" Young about flying alongside Santa.
“It's got an AESA radar, which allows us to try and pick out the sleigh and his eight magical reindeer,” Young says about the F-15’s ability to track Santa.
“The giant bubble canopy allows us to see Rudolph's bright red nose and get up close and make sure that Santa is on track for delivering all the presents to all the girls and boys throughout the country. Historically, over the 69 years, we haven't seen Santa need our help, but that doesn't mean that we're not there to give him a word of encouragement or to just watch the magic up close," he says.
Young is an F-15C instructor pilot with the Oregon Air National Guard's 142nd Wing. He says that being able to participate in this annual tradition is something all the pilots are proud of.
"To have the opportunity to be something as magical and impactful for this. It's something that every kid is gonna wake up on Christmas morning, and they're going to have a surprise underneath their tree and for us to have -- we'll be able to play a very small part in that. It's a huge impact to us and something that we're very proud to do, and we're thankful to get the opportunity to do."
You can check Santa's location here at the NORAD Tracks Santa website [ Ссылка ]
You can also call NORAD directly to get a report on when Santa is expected to be near your house. +1 (877) HI-NORAD.
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