Why did NORAD start tracking Santa Claus?

Platapus · 12-20-13, 05:08 PM

NORAD and its predecessor have a holiday tradition of "tracking" and reporting the progress of Santa Claus since the 1950's. Every wonder how that started?

No?

Well, too bad, I am going to tell you anyway.

It started with a typographical error from the Sears and Roebuck and company.

In 1955, Sears had a clever holiday idea. They would set up a phone number and children could call and talk to Santa directly.

What could possibly go wrong?

The problem was that the phone number for the Sears office was not ME2-6681. That number was a hotline number to the Operations Officer of the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD), which was the predecessor of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).

One day in December 1955 Colonel Harry Shoup, USAF was duty commander of operations of CONAD. The phone rang.

(from http://mentalfloss.com/article/32021...tracking-santa)

U.S. Air Force Col. Harry Shoup, director of operations at the center, rushed over to the phone and grabbed it.

“Yes, Sir, this is Colonel Shoup,” he barked.

Nothing but silence in response.

“Sir? This is Colonel Shoup,” he said.

Silence again.

“Sir? Can you read me alright?”

Finally, a soft voice on the other end.

“Are you really Santa Claus?” a little girl asked.

After some thought Col Shoup realized that that this was not a prank call.

“Yes, I am,” he answered. “Have you been a good little girl?"

The girl explained to Shoup that she would leave some food out for both Santa and his reindeer and then recited her Christmas list to him. Shoup thanked her for her hospitality, noting that Santa had a lot of traveling to do. How did he get to all those houses in one night, anyway, she asked.
Apparently, that was classified intelligence in Shoup’s mind. “That’s the magic of Christmas,” he said. If anyone asks her about that, he said, she should tell them to stop asking so many questions or Santa would put them on the naughty list.

The red phone would keep ringing throughout the night. Not because of Soviet nukes or fighter planes heading toward U.S. soil, but because of a typo.

After a few more Santa-related calls, Shoup pulled a few airmen aside and gave them a special assignment. They would answer the phone and give callers—barring the Pentagon, we assume—Santa’s current location as they “tracked” him on their radar.

From that night on, tracking Santa became a yearly tradition, carried on by the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) when it replaced CONAD in 1958. A new phone number, separate from the red phone, was established and publicized, and people were invited to call in and find out how close Santa was to their home.

Harry Shoup passed away in 2009, remembered by his peers and the public as the “Santa Colonel” who gave a special gift to millions of kids.

Way to go Colonel!

Cybermat47 · 12-20-13, 05:19 PM

That made my day!

R.I.P. Colonel

Catfish · 12-20-13, 05:34 PM

Very nice !

R.I.P. Santa Colonel

Sailor Steve · 12-20-13, 06:19 PM

Great story! Sometimes it's the little things that make us big.

fireftr18 · 12-20-13, 11:11 PM

Jimbuna · 12-21-13, 05:25 AM

Nice one....I still remember using the site online on xmas eve for my kids when they were younger

Wolferz · 12-21-13, 05:34 AM

That's their tale, I sit on mine...

They're really after that jolly old elf for interstate transport of goods and energy resources without the required permits or logs.
Then there's the illegal dumping of waste from the sled's power plant.

They're still trying to develop an interceptor that can travel at "twinkling of an eye" speeds. Once they have some of those multi-billion dollar aircraft in the arsenal Santa's gonna be brought to justice or just toasted by a Fox air to air missile.

Sorry kids, it's for your protection.

BrucePartington · 12-21-13, 10:23 AM

A different era, no doubt.
Today, I'd imagine some security agency barging into Sears CEO office asking questions, and whatnot

nikimcbee · 12-21-13, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

Nice one....I still remember using the site online on xmas eve for my kids when they were younger

By kids, you mean you

.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolferz

That's their tale, I sit on mine...

They're really after that jolly old elf for interstate transport of goods and energy resources without the required permits or logs.
Then there's the illegal dumping of waste from the sled's power plant.

They're still trying to develop an interceptor that can travel at "twinkling of an eye" speeds. Once they have some of those multi-billion dollar aircraft in the arsenal Santa's gonna be brought to justice or just toasted by a Fox air to air missile.

Sorry kids, it's for your protection.

No, No, No, everybody knows that the CIA had been putting cameras on the sled as it flew over the USSR. Even commies love Father Frost.

12-21-13, 04:33 PM

Why did NORAD start tracking Santa Claus?

To see how long it took him to cross the street?

Platapus · 12-21-13, 05:27 PM

OK the real reason they track Santa Claus?

Strategic
Annual
National
Technical
Assessment of the
Counterintelligence
Logistic
Activities in the
United
States

Yeah, it's a cover for an op. It is Tippy Top Totally Secret. Now you are all indoced.
Sign the NDA on the way out.

Herr-Berbunch · 12-21-13, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

Nice one....I still remember using the site online on xmas eve for my kids when they were younger

We know, that was Edward Snowden's snippet that made Russia consider him serious about staying.

Jimbuna · 12-22-13, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herr-Berbunch

We know, that was Edward Snowden's snippet that made Russia consider him serious about staying.

LOL

Wolferz · 12-22-13, 09:52 AM

I'm still flabbergasted that the FAA hasn't gotten in on this.
Unregistered aircraft and all that.

Papa Christmas got a brand new bag... Stealth sled that doesn't show up on radar.

Diopos · 12-22-13, 12:09 PM

Why did NORAD start tracking Santa Claus?
Let me see ... It was at high altitude, fast moving, with a heavy payload, vectoring on major cities and it was RED !!! Of course they were tracking it! Weren't they supposed to track soviet bombers!? .....

.

12-20-13, 05:08 PM	#1
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,360 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	Why did NORAD start tracking Santa Claus? NORAD and its predecessor have a holiday tradition of "tracking" and reporting the progress of Santa Claus since the 1950's. Every wonder how that started? No? Well, too bad, I am going to tell you anyway. It started with a typographical error from the Sears and Roebuck and company. In 1955, Sears had a clever holiday idea. They would set up a phone number and children could call and talk to Santa directly. What could possibly go wrong? The problem was that the phone number for the Sears office was not ME2-6681. That number was a hotline number to the Operations Officer of the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD), which was the predecessor of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). One day in December 1955 Colonel Harry Shoup, USAF was duty commander of operations of CONAD. The phone rang. (from http://mentalfloss.com/article/32021...tracking-santa) U.S. Air Force Col. Harry Shoup, director of operations at the center, rushed over to the phone and grabbed it. “Yes, Sir, this is Colonel Shoup,” he barked. Nothing but silence in response. “Sir? This is Colonel Shoup,” he said. Silence again. “Sir? Can you read me alright?” Finally, a soft voice on the other end. “Are you really Santa Claus?” a little girl asked. After some thought Col Shoup realized that that this was not a prank call. “Yes, I am,” he answered. “Have you been a good little girl?" The girl explained to Shoup that she would leave some food out for both Santa and his reindeer and then recited her Christmas list to him. Shoup thanked her for her hospitality, noting that Santa had a lot of traveling to do. How did he get to all those houses in one night, anyway, she asked. Apparently, that was classified intelligence in Shoup’s mind. “That’s the magic of Christmas,” he said. If anyone asks her about that, he said, she should tell them to stop asking so many questions or Santa would put them on the naughty list. The red phone would keep ringing throughout the night. Not because of Soviet nukes or fighter planes heading toward U.S. soil, but because of a typo. After a few more Santa-related calls, Shoup pulled a few airmen aside and gave them a special assignment. They would answer the phone and give callers—barring the Pentagon, we assume—Santa’s current location as they “tracked” him on their radar. From that night on, tracking Santa became a yearly tradition, carried on by the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) when it replaced CONAD in 1958. A new phone number, separate from the red phone, was established and publicized, and people were invited to call in and find out how close Santa was to their home. Harry Shoup passed away in 2009, remembered by his peers and the public as the “Santa Colonel” who gave a special gift to millions of kids. Way to go Colonel! __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.

12-20-13, 05:19 PM	#2
Cybermat47 Willing Webfooted Beast Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Australia Posts: 5,408 Downloads: 300 Uploads: 23	That made my day! R.I.P. Colonel __________________ Historical TWoS Gameplay Guide: http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?p=2572620 Historical FotRSU Gameplay Guide: https://www.subsim.com/radioroom/sho....php?p=2713394

12-20-13, 06:19 PM	#4
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	Great story! Sometimes it's the little things that make us big. __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

12-20-13, 11:11 PM	#5
fireftr18 Ocean Warrior Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Kentucky Posts: 2,528 Downloads: 77 Uploads: 0	__________________ Of all the forms of Martial Arts, Karaoke causes the most pain!

12-21-13, 05:25 AM	#6
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,461 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	Nice one....I still remember using the site online on xmas eve for my kids when they were younger __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

12-20-13, 05:34 PM	#3
Catfish Dipped Squirrel Operative Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: ..where the ocean meets the sky Posts: 17,765 Downloads: 38 Uploads: 0	Very nice ! R.I.P. Santa Colonel

12-21-13, 05:34 AM	#7
Wolferz Navy Seal Join Date: May 2007 Location: On a mighty quest for the Stick of Truth Posts: 5,963 Downloads: 52 Uploads: 0	That's their tale, I sit on mine... They're really after that jolly old elf for interstate transport of goods and energy resources without the required permits or logs. Then there's the illegal dumping of waste from the sled's power plant. They're still trying to develop an interceptor that can travel at "twinkling of an eye" speeds. Once they have some of those multi-billion dollar aircraft in the arsenal Santa's gonna be brought to justice or just toasted by a Fox air to air missile. Sorry kids, it's for your protection. __________________ Tomorrow never comes

12-21-13, 10:23 AM	#8
BrucePartington XO Join Date: May 2013 Location: KM AM99 Posts: 405 Downloads: 33 Uploads: 0	A different era, no doubt. Today, I'd imagine some security agency barging into Sears CEO office asking questions, and whatnot

12-21-13, 04:33 PM	#10
Madox58 Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	Why did NORAD start tracking Santa Claus? To see how long it took him to cross the street?

12-21-13, 05:27 PM	#11
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,360 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	OK the real reason they track Santa Claus? Strategic Annual National Technical Assessment of the Counterintelligence Logistic Activities in the United States Yeah, it's a cover for an op. It is Tippy Top Totally Secret. Now you are all indoced. Sign the NDA on the way out. __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.

12-22-13, 09:52 AM	#14
Wolferz Navy Seal Join Date: May 2007 Location: On a mighty quest for the Stick of Truth Posts: 5,963 Downloads: 52 Uploads: 0	I'm still flabbergasted that the FAA hasn't gotten in on this. Unregistered aircraft and all that. Papa Christmas got a brand new bag... Stealth sled that doesn't show up on radar. __________________ Tomorrow never comes

12-22-13, 12:09 PM	#15
Diopos Ace of the Deep Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Athens, the original one. Posts: 1,226 Downloads: 9 Uploads: 0	Why did NORAD start tracking Santa Claus? Let me see ... It was at high altitude, fast moving, with a heavy payload, vectoring on major cities and it was RED !!! Of course they were tracking it! Weren't they supposed to track soviet bombers!? ..... . __________________ - Oh God! They're all over the place! CRASH DIVE!!! - Ehm... we can't honey. We're in the car right now. - What?... er right... Doesn't matter! We'll give it a try anyway!