The North American Aerospace Defense Command is tracking Santa this year as it has for decades despite a partial government shutdown.
Last week the official Twitter account of NORAD and the U.S. Northern Command announced that the annual tradition will continue Monday, Christmas Eve, with the help of 1,500 volunteers regardless of gridlock over government funding in Washington.
[Read more: Trump asks kid: ‘Are you still a believer in Santa?’]
“In the event of a government shutdown, NORAD will continue with its 63-year tradition of NORAD Tracks Santa on Dec. 24. Military personnel who conduct NORAD Tracks Santa are supported by approximately 1,500 volunteers who make the program possible each and every year,” the Friday tweet said.
In the event of a government shutdown, NORAD will continue with its 63-year tradition of NORAD Tracks Santa on Dec. 24. Military personnel who conduct NORAD Tracks Santa are supported by approximately 1,500 volunteers who make the program possible each and every year. pic.twitter.com/fY0oyjrdDc
— NORAD & USNORTHCOM (@Norad_Northcom) December 21, 2018
NORAD is a joint U.S.-Canadian command that works to defend air sovereignty of North America and protect the continent against aerospace threats.
But on Christmas Eve every year, NORAD sets its sights on the location of Santa’s sleigh — a tradition that started after a 1955 newspaper ad mistakenly gave the hotline for the Continental Air Defense Command as the number for children trying to reach Santa.
The Air Force sent a festive tweet Monday morning, saying the skies are clear for Santa and shared a video showing how the U.S. military branch “escorts” Santa as he delivers toys to children throughout the world.
Roger Santa the skies are clear. Watch as the U.S. Air Force escorts Santa as he delivers toys throughout the world. pic.twitter.com/uoGt2RSdA2
— U.S. Air Force (@usairforce) December 24, 2018
The government partially shut down at midnight Friday, and more than 420,000 federal workers who are considered “essential” will now work without pay during the shutdown. Another 380,000 government employees are being furloughed and are home without pay.
The impasse was underpinned by the demand by President Trump and his allies for U.S.-Mexico border wall funding in any spending package that reaches the president’s desk.
As a result of the shutdown, Trump skipped out on a holiday trip to his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida with his wife Melania and their 12-year-old son Barron. CNN reported Monday afternoon that the first lady was returning to Washington and would be back in time to take calls from children calling into NORAD’s Santa tracking hotline.
Last year, the Trumps took the calls from the Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach.
