US Military Christmas Tradition History: NORAD Tracks Santa and Operation Christmas Drop

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.