Fear & Loading: A Military Tradition 64 Years Young

by
posted on December 24, 2019
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
norad.jpg

It all started in 1955 when a local Sears and Roebuck newspaper advertisement informed children they could call Santa directly—only the contact number in the advertisement had a typo. Instead of reaching Santa, the phone rang through to the crew commander on duty at the Continental Air Defense Command Operations Center, the predecessor of North American Aerospace Defense Command’s (NORAD).

U.S. Air Force Colonel Harry Shoup was at the con that holiday evening and quickly realized a mistake had been made. He assured the child Mr. Claus was fine and being tracked by his crack team because they were going to be there all night, still keeping a keen eye on radar for Russian missiles or bombers. Col. Shoup then assigned a duty officer to continue answering calls, and they poured in. Thus, a tradition was born, and continued when NORAD formed in 1958. Each year since, NORAD has reported Santa's location on Dec. 24 to millions of children and families.

On Dec. 1, the 64th iteration of NORAD Tracks Santa launched at NORADSanta.org. The website is a global experience, delighting generations of families everywhere, not just in the United States. NORAD may be a binational U.S. and Canadian command charged with the serious business of aerospace and maritime warning and aerospace control of North America—as well as monitoring that activity globally—but it considers the supplementary mission of tracking Santa an honor.

“In addition to our day-to-day mission of defending North America, we are proud to carry on the tradition of tracking Santa as he travels along his yuletide flight path," said Gen. Terrence O'Shaughnessy, commander of NORAD and U.S. Northern Command. "The same radars, satellites and interceptors employed on December 24 are used year-round to defend Canadian and American airspace from threats.”

Children of all ages can call (877) HiNorad on Dec. 24 and one of the many volunteers—who also still believe—can provide Santa’s precise location.

Latest

Rossi R95 Triple Black Pistols 01
Rossi R95 Triple Black Pistols 01

New For 2025: Rossi R95 Triple Black Pistols

Rossi downsized its Triple Black lever-action rifle into several pistol variants, creating large-format handguns that are sized for easy carry, vehicle storage or tight maneuvering in dense brush.

Preview: Stealth Cam Revolver 360

There’s nowhere for game to hide from Stealth Cam’s new Revolver 360 cellular trail camera, making it well suited for use in wide-open areas such as food plots or large fields.

Gun Of The Week: Rost Martin RM1S

We’re on the range with a concealable defensive pistol from one of the newest gunmakers in the firearm industry. This is the Rost Martin RM1S, and it’s an even smaller version of the company’s flagship design, the RM1C.

The Keefe Report: Remembering Frank Brownell

Frank Brownell, the patriarch of the Brownells family and a longtime leader in the firearm industry, passed away on Wednesday, June 18, at the age of 85.

The Armed Citizen® June 20, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Review: Lone Wolf Arms Timberwolf 19X

In its Timberwolf 19X, Lone Wolf Arms focused on incremental updates and tweaks to the seminal Glock design, resulting in a versatile "crossover" handgun design capable of fulfilling a variety of roles.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.