NORAD has detected a serious intrusion of sovereign airspace

A short time ago officials in the Sergeant David L. Pitcher Building (NORAD complex) 22 Wing/CFB North Bay, Ontario, announced a serious intrusion of sovereign airspace.

As expected, the Canadian-American agency that keeps watch on North American airspace moved to high alert as their warning systems detected an unidentified flying object bearing a bright red glow.

It is December 24th, Christmas Eve, and through extensive radar tracking and calibration, they were able to get a radar signature and location on the long object, revealing nine reindeer and a large sleigh piloted by a robust fellow holding a list of names.

Upon closer inspection, they detected a massive velvety bag which was overflowing with presents and toys for all the good girls and boys.

It was at that moment when the man dressed in red shouted "Ho, Ho, Ho," followed by a wink and a friendly wave.



Normally, Canso Flight of 21 Aerospace Control and Warning Squadron would have set out to turn back the intruder, but NORAD intelligence sources based out of Cheyenne Mountain in Colorado had already informed CFB North Bay that it could be Santa Clause.

So overwhelmed were they with the Christmas Spirit, it was deemed top priority to clear the airspace and ensure protection of the jolly old elf himself, St. Nick, as he made his annual sky trek across the country to Canadian homes.

Captain David Palmer of the U.S Air Force (and a self-admitted "good boy this year") is part of the NORAD crew that assists Santa in crossing the border during the most wonderful time of the year.

"Merry Christmas! It's been a great day for NORAD," says Captain Palmer.

Captain Palmer says that on December 24th, special attention is paid to Santa Claus and the North Pole as NORAD monitors all detection systems continuously during 'Operation Pringle', which commences with Santa's initial take off.

For 55 years, NORAD and its predecessor, the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) has tracked Santa's adventures through the sky.

Spokesperson Major Paul Gerrior, Charlie Flight Commander, 21 Aerospace Control and Warning Squadron, says that his team uses a plethora of high tech gadgets such as radar, satellites, Santa cams and fighter jets in order to ensure Santa's overall safety and success.

One lucky baytoday.ca reporter who was situated in the control room with Squadron members got to witness 'Operation Pringle' firsthand, noting that tracking Santa starts with the NORAD North Warning System, a powerful radar system comprising of 47 installations that are strung across the Northern Border of North America.

“Kind of like a series of Christmas lights,” he says.

Major Gerrior says that their second detection system, a multitude of strategically placed satellites, is equally important during this time.

Hovering at 22,000 miles from the earth's surface in geo-synchronous orbit, the satellites are equipped with infrared sensors, which can pick up information regarding various known or unknown heat sources.

“We use the satellites to detect Rudolph's red nose by the heat signature,” he says.

The third tracking system, developed exclusively for Kris Kringle, is the Santa cam network. Pre-positioned at key locations around the earth, NORAD officials claim that the Santa Cams are “ultra-cool, high tech, high-speed digital cameras” used to capture real time images and videos of Santa and his traveling companions as they travel forward at their own mysterious and magical time frame.

“With his own flight plan, if he should get into some bad weather, he alters his own route,” says Gerrior, “We don't know how his does that or when he does it, but again, we use the technology that we have to track him."

The fourth system and perhaps the coolest of them all, is made up of Canadian and American fighter jets. Canadian NORAD fighter pilots flying the CF-18 intercept and welcome Santa and his famous reindeer as they enter North America.

“We just want to say “Hi”, says the Major, “sometimes we'll get a 'thumbs up' from him. Other times, it's a wave, but that's good enough for us.”

Major Gerrior says that the mission officially ends when Santa turns South down to the United States, where the F-18's that are airborne will hand off to another set of F-18's on the West Coast.

“They will track him further west until he finishes,” says Gerrior.

“Once Santa exits Canadian air space, we are done with him.”

For more information on NORAD Tracks Santa, please visit: www.noradsanta.org.

To call for Santa's exact location tonight (Christmas Eve), dial 1-877-Hi-NORAD (1-877-446-6723) or send an email to [email protected].