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America’s AOC tracking Santa on Christmas Eve

  • Published
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Members of the 601st Air and Space Operations Center will once again track Santa Claus on part of his journey around the world this Christmas Eve, and media interested in tracking Santa are invited to visit "America's AOC" Wednesday [see editor's note below]. 

In conjunction with the North American Aerospace Defense Command "Track Santa" program, the AOC will monitor jolly ol' Saint Nick to provide him safe passage as he makes stops across the world. 

"America's AOC takes great pride in the NORAD tradition of tracking Santa, ensuring his safety as he makes his way across the world making his deliveries," said Col. David Kriner, 601st AOC commander. "Tracking Santa is a part of our history and tradition, and we plan on continuing that tradition for years to come." 

The tradition of tracking Santa started in 1955, when a call was made on Christmas Eve to the Continental Air Defense Command Operations Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., from a little girl asking to speak to Santa Claus. 

A local newspaper had printed an advertisement inviting children to call Santa Claus but had accidently printed the wrong number. Instead of getting Santa, the little girl spoke to Col. Harry Shoup, the senior officer on duty. Colonel Shoup received numerous calls that night, but rather than hanging up, he instructed all of his operators to find the location of Santa Claus and report it to every child who phoned in that night. 

When CONAD became NORAD in 1958, the tradition of tracking Santa transferred to the new command. NORAD is the bi-national military organization responsible for the aerospace and maritime defense of the United States and Canada. 

For more information on Santa and to track his journey with NORAD online, visit the "NORAD Tracks Santa" website at www.noradsanta.org.

Editor's Note: Media interested in tracking Santa are invited to visit America's AOC this Wednesday at 11 a.m. Any media wishing to attend must call 1st Lt. Andrew Scott at (850) 282-0725, or email andrew.scott@tyndall.af.mil by 3 p.m. Tuesday to verify attendance and arrange escort. Cameras will be permitted in the facility.