US government continues tracking Santa Claus, prompting Donald Trump to challenge seven-year-old on whether he still believes
- The Defence Department is able to follow Santa’s journey thanks to satellites that pick up heat from lead reindeer Rudolph’s bright red nose
The US government shutdown may have temporarily dimmed Washington’s National Christmas Tree but never fear, Santa Claus is still comin’ to town – and the military is tracking his path.
Just as it has since the 1950s the Canadian and American defence agency NORAD is delivering live updates on the man in the red suit’s international gift delivery route.
NORAD eased the fears of good little boys and girls concerned the tracker might be down, after US lawmakers failed agree on a budget, triggering a partial shutdown of federal services, including the maintenance of the Christmas tree outside the White House.
“In the event of a government shutdown, NORAD will continue with its 63-year tradition of NORAD Tracks Santa on December 24,” the agency tweeted of the tracker, the Pentagon’s largest public outreach programme. “Military personnel who conduct NORAD Tracks Santa are supported by approximately 1,500 volunteers who make the programme possible each and every year.”
The 3D, interactive website at noradsanta.org showed Santa on his delivery route, allowing users to click and learn more about the various cities along the way.
In addition to tracking St Nick, volunteers donning military garb and Santa hats also respond to tens of thousands of calls and emails from eager children hoping to probe for details including their Christmas wish lists.