Season 1 · Episode 58
US Military Christmas Tradition History: NORAD Tracks Santa and Operation Christmas Drop
Meteorology Matters · Rob Jones
December 25, 202416m 40s
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Show Notes
Briefing Document: Holiday Traditions with a Military Twist
This document reviews two unique holiday traditions involving the US military: NORAD Tracks Santa and Operation Christmas Drop.
NORAD Tracks Santa
- Origin: The tradition began in 1955 when a Sears advertisement mistakenly printed the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) hotline number as Santa's phone number. Colonel Harry Shoup, the commander on duty, received calls from children and, rather than dismissing them, decided to provide updates on Santa's location.
Operation Christmas Drop
- Origin: Operation Christmas Drop started in 1952 when a WB-29 aircrew, seeing islanders waving from Kapingamarangi, decided to drop a bundle of supplies attached to a parachute.