On Christmas Eve, a line that once meant to monitor the skies for threats now rings with holiday wonder. The 1-877-HI-NORAD number, managed by a joint U.S. and Canadian operation, has become a cherished tradition for kids and adults alike.
A Legacy of Listening
Since 1955, the North American Aerospace Defense Command has monitored the skies for nuclear attacks. That mission evolved into a holiday tradition when a child called the combat operations center asking to speak to Santa Claus. The commander on duty, Air Force Col. Harry Shoup, decided to play along and said, “Ho, ho, ho, I am Santa.” The practice grew, and by December 23 of that first year, the Associated Press reported that CONAD was tracking Santa. CONAD later became NORAD.
Thousands of Calls, One Hotline
More than 1,000 volunteers answer the 1-877-HI-NORAD line from 4 a.m. to midnight Mountain Standard Time on Christmas Eve. Last year, the hangar at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs received about 380,000 calls. This year, for the first time, callers can place a call through the program’s website, which organizers say will help people outside North America.
The website offers live tracking in nine languages, including English and Japanese, and allows users to follow Santa’s journey in real time.
The Science of Santa Tracking
The same radar, satellites, and jets that keep NORAD ready for national threats also track Santa. Col. Kelly Frushour, a NORAD spokesperson, explained that Rudolph’s nose emits a heat signature similar to a missile, which NORAD’s satellites pick up. She said the system can track Santa starting from the international date line over the Pacific Ocean.
During a call last year, a girl was upset when Santa was reported heading to the International Space Station, where two astronauts were stranded. Frushour said, “Thankfully, by the time the call was over, Santa Claus had moved on to another destination and the child was reassured that Santa was not trapped in space and was going to make it to her house later that evening.”
A special-needs man named Henry, who calls every year, once asked if the jet pilot escorting Santa could leave a note in the plane. Michelle Martin, a NORAD staffer and Marine veteran, explained that Santa travels “faster than starlight.” She added, “I don’t know that our pilot can catch up with him fast enough. He just waves and he goes,” recalling the conversation.
A Tradition That Keeps Growing
The holiday hotline has become a cultural touchstone. Children drop phones after hearing Santa won’t show up if they’re not asleep, while others call to see if Santa will find them. Volunteers, many of whom are students and retirees, keep the line open for hours, answering questions and sharing the magic of the season.
NORAD’s mission remains serious, but its Santa-tracking program adds a playful layer to the organization’s history. From a Cold War defense system to a global holiday phenomenon, the tradition continues to bring joy to millions each Christmas Eve.
Key Takeaways
- Over 1,000 volunteers answer 1-877-HI-NORAD from 4 a.m. to midnight MST.
- Last year’s call volume was about 380,000, all handled at Peterson Space Force Base.
- The website now allows international callers and offers nine-language tracking.
- NORAD’s radar and satellite system can detect Santa’s heat signature.
- The tradition began in 1955 when a child’s call led Col. Shoup to say, “Ho, ho, ho, I am Santa.”
The line may be a simple phone call, but for many, it’s a reminder that the world can still be a place of wonder, even amid serious defense responsibilities.
