U.S. Army Tracks Santa Claus on Christmas eve

The U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command at Redstone Arsenal is known for its focus on national defense,but Christmas Eve brings a unique mission: tracking Santa Claus.

on Christmas Eve, the command shifts from its usual duties to follow Santa as he travels the globe.

“I can’t guarantee what Santa Claus is gonna give them for Christmas but I can guarantee that he’ll be out there flying around,” said Lt. Gen. Sean Gainey, Commanding General of the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command.

The command uses its radars and satellite sensors to track santa’s journey.

“Our radars and our satellite sensors are easily able to pick him up and when Rudolph, we all know Rudolph the lead reindeer starts burning his nose that light, I tell you the satellites pick that up real swift,” Gainey said.

Inside the Joint Air Defense Operations Center Developmental Laboratory, radar screens light up with Santa’s route. “It’s always imp