We're 1st Lt Sean Carter and Capt. Steve Collier, members of the NORAD Tracks Santa team with NORAD, and we're ready to answer your questions on this 67-year old mission!

Submitted by NORAD_Tracks_Santa t3_zrz9cg in IAmA

PROOF

Thanks for all the great questions folks! We had to get back to preparing for the 24th, but it was a blast spending some time with you! Be sure to follow Santa's journey at noradsanta.org or call in at 1 (877) Hi-NORAD! We look forward to hearing from you!

​

For 67 years, NORAD, as well as its predecessors, have tracked Santa's Dec. 24 journey to bring holiday cheer to the children of the world. The legend began in 1955 when a young child accidentally dialed the unlisted phone number of the Continental Air Defense Command Operations Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, believing she was calling Santa Claus after seeing a promotion in a local newspaper. This misprinted number was answered by the operations officer in duty, and after realizing she had made a mistake, and assured the youngster that he was Santa.

Thus the tradition was born. Each year since, NORAD has dutifully reported Santa’s location on Dec. 24 to millions across the globe whether through the phone, online, and through social media.

Join us for this Reddit AMA on this long-running mission to track Santa, and get to know the men and women who serve both the U.S. and Canadian armed forces in protecting protecting the skies of North America 365 days a year.

NORAD Tracks Santa has become a truly magical and global phenomenon, delighting generations of families everywhere. NORAD is honored to be Santa’s official tracker!

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Comments

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MrsBonsai171 t1_j15kyvh wrote

I just talked to my 7 year old daughter and she thought long and hard before asking this incredibly important question: How old are you?

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NORAD_Tracks_Santa OP t1_j15ltj9 wrote

Captain Collier here -- I'm 39. And Lt Carter just admitted to me that he's 32.

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MrsBonsai171 t1_j15mq46 wrote

She is now asking if you help Santa take off and land

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NORAD_Tracks_Santa OP t1_j15n2kf wrote

That's a job for his top-notch elves!

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MrsBonsai171 t1_j15or98 wrote

Ok now you've got her excited. She is now asking if you know the elves.

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NORAD_Tracks_Santa OP t1_j15qqry wrote

Your daughter is full of questions! And they are great ones too. We do not know any elves ... we just track Santa in flight.

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MrsBonsai171 t1_j15qzmp wrote

It was so much fun watching her get so excited! Thank you for keeping the magic alive!

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WeeTeeTiong t1_j15zexv wrote

Is Lt. Carter an expert on deep space radar telemetry?

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MRSRN65 t1_j167gpr wrote

Sean Carter, not Sam Carter. And just because his reproductive organs are on the outside...

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2ReddYet t1_j15f63g wrote

1). How do you distinguish between Santa’s sleigh and Russian ICBMs with a 100% confidence level?

2). Are you on the Naughty or Nice list?

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NORAD_Tracks_Santa OP t1_j15gioo wrote

1). The secret to that is in Rudolph's red nose! It gives off a pretty distinct signature...

2). Depends on who you ask!

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Killer-Barbie t1_j15h66e wrote

What happens if Rudolph is sick an unable to fly?

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NORAD_Tracks_Santa OP t1_j15ic9b wrote

We'd love to know the answer to that too! While we have experience tracking Santa and his reindeer, we have no clue what would happen in that scenario. But we can tell you -- that hasn't happen in the 67 years of us tracking Santa.

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Boudica333 t1_j162vba wrote

Shouldn’t you be prepared for that? Expect the unexpected

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treegirl98 t1_j15sqod wrote

He calls his cousin Leroy the redneck reindeer. The Joe Diffie song told us all about it!

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patssle t1_j15lapw wrote

If you wanted to hide Rudolph's red nose from NORAD radar - which stealth coating material would you recommend?

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daffydubs t1_j163qni wrote

Oh great, now all other countries’ nuclear ICBMs will come standard with a red nose to pass by our radar on Christmas Eve.

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bionicjoey t1_j167typ wrote

So if the Russians tipped their missiles with red reindeer noses then the apocalypse would be upon us?

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ChuckEye t1_j15exqw wrote

Is there a protocol for if Santa goes off course or flies into restricted airspace?

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NORAD_Tracks_Santa OP t1_j15g936 wrote

The words "off course" and "restricted airspace" hold no meaning for Santa! Only Santa knows his course, which is why we see variations to his route year-to-year.

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SpaceSuitUp t1_j15kixj wrote

So you admit that every year for one night you fail to protect the country from a foreign threat? Why am I paying taxes?

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BobonicHonnick t1_j15jluk wrote

Does NORAD also track the Grinch, and are allied forces in place in the event he attempts to steal Christmas?

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NORAD_Tracks_Santa OP t1_j15lo1x wrote

Here at NORAD we're all about homeland defense through aerospace control--here's to hoping any and all Grinch activity is being monitored by another department...

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Priusaurus t1_j15jlrl wrote

Is Santa aware that NORAD has been tracking him for 67 years? Does he ever pull off any evasive maneuvers in an attempt to throw off the trackers?

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NORAD_Tracks_Santa OP t1_j15kgeg wrote

Santa knows, of course he knows--he's known for years now! First-hand accounts from some very star-struck interceptor pilots report that after tipping their wings as a way to say hello, the jolly old elf would give his trademark smile, and with a twinkle in his eye he'd be off again... faster than starlight.

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TopCheddarBiscuit t1_j15thom wrote

I heard Santa gave a blackbird pilot the middle finger before hitting Mach 6 back in the 80s.

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Serengeti1234 t1_j15upj0 wrote

"...and then I heard Santa hop on the radio and say, 'LA Center, requesting speed check.'"

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waitwhatchers t1_j1618su wrote

"Uh, Santa, I show you at one thousand eight hundred and forty-two knots, across the ground."

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historynutjackson t1_j163k68 wrote

"LA Center, we're reading closer to 2000, over."

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waitwhatchers t1_j1647oc wrote

"Santa, yeah, you probably have better equipment than we do. Merry Christmas."

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nycemt83 t1_j15hv1a wrote

What kind of SEAD does Santa's sleigh have so as to not get Patriot'd out of the sky?

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NORAD_Tracks_Santa OP t1_j15j4zf wrote

Captain Collier here -- SEAD is a mission after my own heart. I used to be assigned to the 8th Fighter Wing in Korea and the "Wolf Pack" has a history of that mission during Vietnam under Colonel Robin Olds.

While we have no clue if Santa has air defenses, I'd like to hope in his delivery of gifts to children throughout the world he wouldn't be targeted by anti aircraft forces.

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Kozzmo51 t1_j15n9g6 wrote

Do you think the Dept of the AF should contract Santa and his elves to design an MDS capable of replacing the C5? He seems to be able to hold a whole lot more cargo than our entire fleet combined! Seems we could learn a thing or two in terms of global reach and RGM...

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NORAD_Tracks_Santa OP t1_j15okx8 wrote

Captain Collier here -- Santa definitely is the king of logistics, hands down, as far as I'm concerned. But until the USAF can harness the power of his magic, not sure it's comparable.

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NORAD_Tracks_Santa OP t1_j15rc8y wrote

Hi everyone! The time has come to end our AMA this go around. We still have last-minute preparations to complete to support our ability to track Santa on December 24! Remember to visit noradsanta.org to track Santa in real time, or call us at 1-877-HI-NORAD.

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MrsBonsai171 t1_j15oc8w wrote

What's the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow?

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lornstar7 t1_j15jrfw wrote

Will Santa have any air support while delivering presents to children in Ukraine?

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NORAD_Tracks_Santa OP t1_j15lbxv wrote

Maybe a good question to ask is does he even need that! Like we've mentioned before, we never know what route Santa takes, but we have historical data that shows he visits any and all nations where there are children who believe in him.

​

*edited for grammar

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PeanutSalsa t1_j15h8n8 wrote

Is it done on a volunteer basis or has it been incorporated into the job?

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NORAD_Tracks_Santa OP t1_j15iamh wrote

Lt. Carter here! The vast majority of support for this program comes in the form of volunteer support. The NORAD & USNORTHCOM Public Affairs office maintains oversight, but only myself and Capt Collier (who comes in to provide additional help during the busy season) are on the job full-time.

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db37 t1_j15vy8e wrote

Has Elon Musk's ban on live reporting of aircraft locations changed the way you'll report Santa's location this year?

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SavageGoatToucher t1_j166bj1 wrote

Follow up question: has Santa ever tried to sue NORAD for doxxing his location?

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rmorlock t1_j15msgf wrote

A few years ago I was tracking Santa with my kids and they asked when Santa was going to Grandma and Grandpa's house in North Dakota. I checked and the entire US map was filled with icons of Santa, except for North Dakota.

What does Santa have against North Dakota?

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NORAD_Tracks_Santa OP t1_j15npx8 wrote

To my knowledge, hopefully nothing! That's definitely a question for him but we've tracked him over ND before.

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supercalifragilism t1_j15fivr wrote

What are your plans for adjusting to evolution in sensor defeating technologies deployed by Santa? Are reports of his radar cross section reducing each year accurate? Has there been any success in drone deployed IRST assets to determine the efficiency of Claus's propulsion system?

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NORAD_Tracks_Santa OP t1_j15hzxj wrote

You have a lot of insight into Santa's propulsion systems and tracking abilities! Sounds like you've done your homework -- curious, what do you think?

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supercalifragilism t1_j15yrqc wrote

I'm working on the operating theory that Santa is not primarily a physical phenomenon, as the energy expenditure from his travel should have significant effects on atmospheric conditions as yet unseen, and so the radar trace monitored by NORAD is a distraction. An adjustment of Santa's EW capabilities evolving in lockstep with the development of sensor technology would, given Claus's clear advantage in technological development, be supportive of such a counter intelligence strategy. If I had to guess, there has been no relative change in sensor signal responses from Santa over the period of this tracking program.

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Kookie_Kay t1_j15fgod wrote

What has been your favorite experience being part of this mission ?

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NORAD_Tracks_Santa OP t1_j15gy8e wrote

This is Captain Collier ... so many years ago, in 2007, I was stationed at Peterson Air Force Base (now Space Force Base) where NORAD is based. I was a young, single Airman, and my family was back east in Florida, so no one I knew lived out here during Christmas. There was an all-call put out to see who would like to volunteer to be a Santa Tracker and I volunteered. I had an absolute BLAST! I got to speak to kids in New Zealand and Australia and it was very heart warming. I get goose bumps just thinking about it!

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dbrodbeck t1_j15q9kq wrote

My kids are 21 and 29 now, so not much looking at the tracker any more for them, but I admit, I still do, and I find it chokes me up every year. Thanks for doing this.

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NORAD_Tracks_Santa OP t1_j15rrj7 wrote

Captain Collier here -- That's a great memory. We have so many examples that people give us like that. Warms my heart!

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Hoz999 t1_j15i926 wrote

That must have been so cool. (Cool as in great)(Ha!)

Thank you for doing this AMA. It’s appreciated.

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Clay_Pigeon t1_j15rnxj wrote

Thank you for doing this.

My kids asked: how long do you track Santa?

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NORAD_Tracks_Santa OP t1_j15rvdi wrote

As long as he's in flight! But of all the data we have, it's all day December 24.

*edited for grammar

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Time_Suggestion5476 t1_j15epq0 wrote

Any changes to Santa's route this year?

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NORAD_Tracks_Santa OP t1_j15feyw wrote

Good question ... we always like to ensure people know we track Santa, so we never know his exact route until he's airborne. However, we have 67 years worth of data that has shown he'll depart the North Pole along the International Date Line and head east to west, traveling north and south as well to deliver gifts.

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mrcurator87 t1_j15jdhk wrote

What would happen today if a child called an unlisted number for NORAD looking for Santa (or info on his position)?

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NORAD_Tracks_Santa OP t1_j15nvvf wrote

Because we're in the business of tracking Santa this command is always on standby to answer Santa questions. If a call did make it through on an unlisted number from a child asking for Santa's whereabouts I have no doubt it would be answered courteously and professionally ... there would be plenty of time for questions with the IT and comms teams afterwards.

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Uticus t1_j15jhu7 wrote

In the past 67 years what has been the most unusual unknown contact tracked during the Santa tracking mission? Any UFOs or hostile forces trying to intercept Santa?

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iamtoe t1_j15o1sl wrote

Is Santa primarily tracked through radar? Or is there any satellite surveillance involved? I'm sure there must be areas where we don't have radar coverage.

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NORAD_Tracks_Santa OP t1_j15pcl7 wrote

Fantastic question! Because Santa flies faster than starlight, it takes the combined power of our complimentary radar (the North Warning System--a powerful radar system with 47 installations across Northern Canada and Alaska), satellites, and fighter jets--Canadian CF-18s and US F-15s, F-16s and F-22s, to ensure continuous coverage of Santa's flight. Rudolph's red nose and the infrared signature he gives off is also critical to our success!

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Actual-Dig8443 t1_j15mi9v wrote

Can norad please do another ama this year?

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NORAD_Tracks_Santa OP t1_j15nbdi wrote

You can imagine we're going to be a bit busy going into December 24th, but thanks for the positive feedback! We're definitely going to discuss doing another one (or two) for next year.

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Actual-Dig8443 t1_j15iz96 wrote

How many people vist your site each year?

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NORAD_Tracks_Santa OP t1_j15jinq wrote

Great question! Each year, we've seen an incremental increase to visitors to noradsanta.org, and in 2021, we hit a new record of 14.1 million unique visitors, with nearly 105 million page views!

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throwawayamas t1_j15n8o3 wrote

Why is Wikipedia saying that you are simulating the tracking?

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NORAD_Tracks_Santa OP t1_j15o3wh wrote

Wikipedia...? Isn't that the site teachers say you can't use as a source?

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throwawayamas t1_j15pgk6 wrote

Yeah, I’m pretty sure it’s inaccurate. Looking forward to calling on Christmas Eve!

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throwawayamas t1_j15rdjr wrote

Does NORAD still keep an eye out on other flying objects on Christmas Eve?

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knifeymcshotfun t1_j164jy6 wrote

Soooo... do you guys ever get to go off-world via the Stargate?

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Brilliant_Humor_8071 t1_j15fjza wrote

Are there new santa cams?

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NORAD_Tracks_Santa OP t1_j15hgvv wrote

We can confirm we're expecting 4 new Santa cams to come online this year. Be sure to check in on the 24th and let us know if you can spot them!

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throwawayamas t1_j15fbas wrote

When does Santa leave? How many volunteers are there? What happens if you’re not sleeping when he’s supposed to come?

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NORAD_Tracks_Santa OP t1_j15h1aq wrote

Historically speaking, Santa typically takes flight around 6 a.m. EST. On average we have around 1,000 volunteers each year who help make the magic--they really are the heart of the program! If you're not sleeping when Santa arrives he'll circle back later--but only if you're sleeping...

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Actual-Dig8443 t1_j15idjc wrote

Why did norad get rid of using twitter?

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NORAD_Tracks_Santa OP t1_j15jdsj wrote

Great question! We use the social media platforms that best reach our priority audiences--namely children and families around the world. In addition to our website, noradsanta.org, and our call center (1 (877) Hi-NORAD), Santa Trackers can download our mobile app on Android and iOS devices and follow Santa using OnStar, Facebook, and Instagram.

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IrishEv t1_j15nu6o wrote

Do kids ever accuse you of not sounding like Santa when you answer the phone?

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NORAD_Tracks_Santa OP t1_j15padd wrote

That's because we don't! Our more than 900 NORAD Santa Trackers that work shifts throughout the day are definitely not trying to replace the Big Guy. Our special mission on Dec. 24 of tracking his worldwide travels allows our volunteer Santa Trackers to relay the real-time data of his route to callers.

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UsualAnybody1807 t1_j15s4rt wrote

How do you get such a cool job?

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NORAD_Tracks_Santa OP t1_j15spl9 wrote

Captain Collier here - 19 years as a Public Affairs professional, sometimes you just luck out :)

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[deleted] t1_j15ieqp wrote

Why is HP working with you guys? Joe Alber

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NORAD_Tracks_Santa OP t1_j15k4ml wrote

HP is one of many corporate and military contributors that make the NORAD Tracks Santa mission possible. HP is gracious enough to provide our operation center with laptops, monitors, keyboards, mice and other computer equipment to ensure our robust mission is executed.

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Wasphammer t1_j15nbqp wrote

How hot is the job? Like, how many people apply for it every year?

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shitlord_god t1_j166s10 wrote

Are you still in Mt. Cheyenne for Santa tracking ops?

And have you seen the Stargate?

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DassinJoe t1_j15mq7s wrote

My teenage son asks “Are you guys trying to assassinate Santa?” I think he’s been reading about a certain billionaire 🙄

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Actual-Dig8443 t1_j15l9g2 wrote

When will this AMA end? Will there be more AMA this year?

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NORAD_Tracks_Santa OP t1_j15lzvk wrote

The AMA was scheduled for 90 minutes, so we should go for another 30 minutes. We are not slated for another AMA this year.

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MelodicCampaign4314 t1_j15ye9g wrote

I missed it! But my question was going to ask about Canada’s complete lack of funding for nato and norad…so it might be for the best.

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AlbinoAlex t1_j15sr2e wrote

Is Santa delivering presents to Russia this year, or it is he also laying sanctions?

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joelupi t1_j15snkk wrote

If necessary could Santa make an emergency landing at Groom Lake?

What kind of cross signature does a sleigh and reindeer have?

Does Santa have a call sign?

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Nixplosion t1_j15t235 wrote

Has a foreign power ever engaged with Santa over their own, or foreign to them, air space? Does Santas speed allow him to simply out maneuver any incoming ordnance or does he have counter measures?

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sirquincy14 t1_j160mt9 wrote

My 4 year old asked, does Santa know you're tracking him?

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honestFeedback t1_j1632dv wrote

Has Santa ever complained that you revealing the position of his flight is Doxxing him and then put you on his naughty list? I've heard it can happen...

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dermzzz t1_j16avdk wrote

What's your opinion on the failed roll out of the MyEPR system?

How many overdue ACAs do you have in your queue?

Do you believe the return to vPC will herald a new era of report processing?

Are you accelerating, changing or losing? And why?

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assholetoall t1_j15vylq wrote

Does Santa use a special call sign or is he just Santa?

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snoogins355 t1_j15z71g wrote

What type of stealth has santa got and how many G's can the sleigh pull?

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icemanspy007 t1_j15qnxi wrote

Is there established protocol for doing handoffs from EADS to WADS or is he not considered a hostile target?

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garry4321 t1_j15toaw wrote

How do we know santa isnt a threat? I have seen no data collection audit and he seems to be going into the homes of a lot of high level clearance people. Have you worked this out with him?

Perhaps this is just paranoia, but considering his propensity to covertly monitor others to determine naughtiness, its concerning to me.

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brpajense t1_j15vaqr wrote

Is there anything we can infer about the altitudes at which Santa’s sleigh operates based on the fact that Santa Tracking stayed with NORAD instead of going to Space Force?

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MeyseyMoo t1_j16020r wrote

Greetings from England. How does Santa re-fuel the reindeer? Does he have pre-arranged landings for meals or does it happen mid-flight?

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crediblewordbank t1_j1642vd wrote

  1. If this job is 24hrs a day how long are shifts for you and Mr Collier?

  2. do you have to be armed forces to work NORAD or would just a degree in a corresponding field be enough?

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JethroFire t1_j166qj4 wrote

Are you glad that you don't have to wear ACU camo anymore?

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[deleted] t1_j15g1fj wrote

Is Santa Live on Norad through his Computer? Will the Tracker Look Different?

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Actual-Dig8443 t1_j15inu3 wrote

Can we expect to see a new site layout for next year?

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Actual-Dig8443 t1_j15mr85 wrote

Will NORAD be on youtube checking out live streams of people who track santa?

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IThinkImDumb t1_j15oft3 wrote

1stLt are you a public affairs officer ????

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Ven18 t1_j15oprf wrote

Does NORAD partner with any foreign counterparts to aid in the tracking of Santa/ inform allies if he is flying’s into any kind of restricted airspace? I imagine the big guy does not want to risk some kind of international incident just doing his job.

Also what is Santa’s average cruising speed during the big night?

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swvagirl t1_j15tupn wrote

How would someone go about volunteering?

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thealphateam t1_j15u2vz wrote

Did you watch the NORAD tracker as a kid?

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BathFullOfDucks t1_j15z93i wrote

How do you know the Russians aren't using Santa to sneak in a high altitude detonation to blind America's ballistic missile early warning system?

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Anonymous_user_2022 t1_j163v2o wrote

Prior to 1989, there was a Santa track along the Iron Curtain in Europe. Were that operation coordinated with yours?

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rededelk t1_j1643ti wrote

Thanks, we have dropped in over the years. What's the best way to watch on smart TV? I have roku and fire stick. Merry Christmas

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ctong21 t1_j16742b wrote

Who was the officer who came up with this and how good was that OER?

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Actual-Dig8443 t1_j15k99t wrote

Will norad be jumping to different youtube streams that track santa using norad and chatting with people on the 24th?

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Automatic_List6193 t1_j15pd04 wrote

Will norad being going around on streams like they did last year?

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mycatisabrat t1_j15vzuc wrote

What if the Soviets sneak a missile in behind the sleigh? Would WOPR be able to detect it?

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Ochib t1_j15yawy wrote

Will you be tweeting Santa’s location, or is that counted as doxing him?

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Fart_Nebulizer t1_j15zg2r wrote

There are many families who Santa visits to leave gifts to open on the evening of the 24th rather than on the morning of the 25th. How does the tracker account for this?

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Lovelyterry t1_j1621ic wrote

Is there a contingency plan to shoot down Santa?

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[deleted] t1_j164urj wrote

What time Will Santa Claus be taking off?

Merry Christmas Santa and Elf Sparkles

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SpaceSuitUp t1_j15ke57 wrote

If Santa flew over highly restricted air space, what would be the best way to bring him down?

0

DutchDK t1_j15oavq wrote

Making sure everybody assigned to the area has been nice. That would automatically make Santa land on the roofs of any housing in the base. Saves on weapons cost, ammo, and cleanup of depleted uranium shells.

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SpaceSuitUp t1_j15yyii wrote

Excellent! I support a foreign policy based on everyone being nice! :)

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