According to 19Fortyfive, the North American Air Defense Command (NORAD) is responsible for the surveillance of air and sea activities across North America, the issue of alerts, and the control of such action. On the other hand, one of NORAD’s responsibilities each year is to “supervise” the path that Santa takes to deliver the gifts.
“NORAD is responsible for protecting the airspace over North America around the clock, every day of the year, monitoring any aircraft, missile, space launch, or other potential threat. In addition, we are prepared to carry out the assignment. The Christmas Eve mission is one that the highest-ranking officers can only carry out for the 67th year in a row “Colonel Paul M. Bishop, a representative for NORAD, made this statement.
The practise of NORAD keeping an eye on Santa Claus extends all the way back to 1955. During that time period, a newspaper published in the state of Colorado advertised the toy manufacturer SEARS; however, the phone number for the Command Operations Center was printed incorrectly. Defense of the Continental Airspace (forerunner of NORAD).
Air Force Colonel Harry Shoup – the head of NORAD at the time, was surprised when he received a call from a little girl asking if he was “Santa Claus.” Colonel Shoup knew there had been a mistake, but he still identified as Santa Claus and talked to the little girl.
After the particular phone call, the NORAD commander asked officers to continue answering children who called this number in December, creating a tradition still maintained today.
Children from all over the world will be able to watch NORAD carry out Santa’s surveillance missions live on the organization’s official social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. A spokesperson of NORAD stated on December 22 that this year’s blizzards will not be an issue for Santa and the reindeer because they have taken the necessary precautions.