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

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.

How much of that $16,000 was used for your investment and how was it used?

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

Santa is as American as Coca-Cola, my friend.

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

Good question! We are both prior enlisted.

African or European?

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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Captain Collier here - do you mean people volunteering to be Santa Trackers?

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European or African?

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

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

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!

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.

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

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?

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.

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

What's the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow?

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.