NORFOLK, Va. — The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) will track Santa Claus on December 24 as part of a tradition marking its 70th year, the command announced. NORAD, which monitors North American airspace year-round, adds the holiday mission each Christmas Eve as Santa begins his global journey.

NORAD typically focuses on homeland security matters, but has dutifully taken on the task of tracking Santa since 1955. 

The NORAD Tracks Santa website offers games, music, and a countdown in nine languages. A mobile app is available in the Apple App Store and Google Play, and updates will run on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM, and OnStar.

Callers could also dial in throughout the day to find out where Santa is on his journey. Beginning at 4 a.m. to midnight MST on December 24, callers can reach live trackers at 1-877-HI-NORAD. A new web-based calling option and virtual translation in more than 200 languages will also be offered. After midnight, an automated system and the website will provide updates until 3 a.m. December 25.

The military command has been fielding calls since 1955, when Air Force Col. Harry Shoup — the commander on duty at NORAD’s predecessor, the Continental Air Defense Command — fielded a call from a child who dialed a misprinted telephone number in a newspaper department store ad, thinking she was calling Santa.

A fast-thinking Shoup quickly assured his caller that he was. And the tradition began.

NORAD is a bi-national U.S.-Canadian command responsible for aerospace and maritime warning.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.