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Fortunately, no matter the myriad of problems the world faces during what should be a season of joy and peace, NORAD has informed the Defense Department that “every indication is that Santa Claus will arrive on time this year to deliver presents to the world’s estimated 1.9 billion children.”
As reported here, NORAD has gone Hi-Tech, using increasingly sophisticated sensors, tracking algorithms, models and communication systems to detect and track Santa in a timely manner and to communicate vital information to the American people — especially to the young ones.
As the magic date and hour nears and perhaps in view of recent developments, Pentagon Press Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby said today, “In the cyber domain, they tell me that their anti-Grinch firewall (AGFW) is up and monitoring for threats, and they are confident that the AGFW … can defeat any malicious attacks.”
Kirby also assures kids everywhere that NORAD has verified the load-bearing capacity of all rooftops that the reindeer will land on and that Aegis radars “are calibrated to track Santa and ships are standing by to conduct any lost gift rescue operations, if necessary.”
In other “domains,” Kirby confirms that NORAD’s radars can detect any and all objects traveling through North American airspace and its approaches, and that “our infrared detecting satellites are calibrated to see Rudolph’s nose.”
Finally, in the “air domain,” Kirby says that aircraft assigned to its Canadian and U.S. regions are ready to escort Santa when he enters North American airspace.
“Through our coordination with the FAA and NAV-CANADA, we can confirm that North American airspace is safe for sleigh travel,” the admiral said.
“I can tell you, it sounds to me like they are very ready for Santa,” Kirby concluded.
Source: Claudette Roulo, DoD News, Defense Media Activity
Get all breaking news on Santa at noradsanta.org.
Lead image: Courtesy NORAD Santa Tracker
The author is a retired U.S. Air Force officer and a writer.