SANTA TRACKER: NORAD Confirms Santa Enters U.S. Airspace over Florida, President Trump Urges Kids to Leave Out Cookies
This Christmas Eve, Santa Claus achieved a significant milestone. The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) announced that Santa crossed into U.S. airspace from the Bahamas, entering Florida just after 7:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. This joyful announcement quickly gained traction on social media, bolstered by a lighthearted reminder from former President Donald Trump, who playfully urged children to “leave out cookies.”
“🚨 BREAKING: Santa Claus has officially entered United States airspace, crossing into FLORIDA from the Bahamas,” NORAD tweeted. This marks the 68th year of the Santa Tracker program, a beloved holiday tradition that reflects NORAD’s commitment to combining festive fun with its serious mission of aerospace defense.
Each year, NORAD manages this unique operation in collaboration with Canada, employing a sophisticated array of radar, satellites, and fighter pilots to track Santa’s journey. The mission is centered at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs and involves over 1,000 military and civilian volunteers. “Our satellites detected the heat signature from Rudolph’s red nose just past Eleuthera Island,” stated NORAD spokesperson Lt. Gen. Mark Ingram. Later, Santa was visually confirmed flying over Palm Beach County at “1906 hours.”
The origins of the Santa Tracker program are surprisingly humble. It began in 1955 due to a misprint in a Sears ad that inadvertently connected children to NORAD’s predecessor instead of Santa. From there, it has blossomed into an extensive outreach effort. NORAD now utilizes 47 radar installations and a suite of satellites equipped with infrared sensors to monitor Santa as he visits over 80 million households worldwide on Christmas Eve. Santa’s sleigh, operating at speeds close to Mach 5, must reach approximately 3,800 miles per hour to deliver gifts to more than 390,000 homes each minute.
The following numbers provide insight into the program’s reach. In 2022, more than 11 million people engaged with NORAD’s platforms to follow Santa, and 1.25 million phone calls were answered at its holiday call center. Despite its operational costs of around $20,000—primarily staffing—most funding comes from the standard defense budget. This illustrates how NORAD efficiently leverages existing resources for a cherished holiday tradition.
The Santa Tracker program also plays a crucial role in shaping public perception of the military. In a 2021 Pew Research survey, over 75% of Americans familiar with NORAD linked the agency more to Santa than its primary mission of aerospace defense. This cultural connection provides a friendly image of the Armed Forces, resonating particularly well with children and families during the holiday season.
President Trump reinforced this festive spirit in a televised Christmas message. “I hear Santa just flew over Mar-a-Lago,” he remarked, adding, “Kids, don’t forget the cookies.” His nod to holiday traditions aligns with his broader emphasis on American customs and values—echoing warmth and cheer. Trump’s mention of chocolate chip cookies might inspire Santa’s next snack choice, highlighting how this joyful occasion brings out simple, lighthearted moments.
While tracking Santa offers joyous engagement, it also showcases NORAD’s commitment to operational readiness. The organization remains vigilant, balancing the holiday fun with its standard defense duties. Major General Douglas A. Sims affirmed, “It’s not a drill or a distraction. This is a no-fail mission that brings smiles while keeping our skills sharp.”
An interesting tidbit from this year’s tracking is Santa’s typical entry path into U.S. airspace. Observers might consider why he consistently comes from the Bahamas rather than the Arctic. Meteorological studies suggest favorable conditions, including warm coastal thermals and jet stream flows, play a role in this route on Christmas Eve.
As Santa’s sleigh continued its journey, NORAD reported sightings across several states, including Georgia, the Carolinas, and Virginia. Projections indicated he would cross into the Northeastern U.S. by 9:00 p.m. EST, followed by a path west through the Plains and into the Rocky Mountains by midnight—culminating in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska before heading toward Asia.
In the bustling skies over America, commercial traffic adjusts to keep Santa’s route clear. According to the FAA, no flight conflicts arose as of 8:30 p.m. EST, with the agency issuing a NOTAM (Notice to Air Missions) acknowledging Santa’s presence—a gesture of goodwill that underscores the collaboration between civilian aviation and defense efforts.
In a year marked by division, the NORAD Santa Tracker remains a charm that nearly all Americans can rally around. Donations to military family charities surge during this festive time, and the Tracker stands as a model of effective military-civilian outreach. In 2023, more than 800 military family volunteers contributed tirelessly, answering calls, reading emails, and updating Santa’s location to share the joy with children worldwide.
The NORAD Santa Tracker is accessible online at www.noradsanta.org, along with call-in services and mobile applications available in eight languages. Kids can even reach out by dialing 1-877-HI-NORAD, although they may need to be patient as call volume typically surges by late evening on December 24.
As of now, NORAD reports that Santa has delivered over 5.7 billion presents and counting. His next destination? Charleston, South Carolina, with stops in Mississippi and Louisiana set to follow shortly.
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