Every Christmas Eve, Norad — the North American Aerospace Defense Command — provides real-time tracking of Santa’s sleigh as it navigates the skies.The cherished tradition dates back to 1955 when a misprint in a department store advert led a young child to call a Colorado military command center asking to speak to Santa Claus.

The Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense (NORAD) Command Region 1st Air Force protects the skies 24/365. But on Christmas Eve NORAD is also tasked with another special mission: tracking Santa Claus as he delivers presents around the world.