Santa Claus meets with Maj. Gen. John Borderlon Dec. 23 at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., to discuss Santa's Christmas Eve flight. General Borderlon is the chief of staff for North American Aerospace Defense Command and Northern Command. Santa received Federal Aviation Administration, weather and air mission briefs. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Desiree N. Palacios)
Santa Claus and Elf Dee make a surprise visit to a child development center Dec. 23 at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Desiree N. Palacios)
Santa Claus tells children to raise their hand if they have been a good boy or girl during a surprise visit to a child development center Dec. 23 at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Desiree N. Palacios)
Santa Claus makes a surprise visit to the North American Aerospace Defense Command Tracks Santa Battle Cab Dec. 23 at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. Santa received Federal Aviation Administration, weather and air mission briefs. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Desiree N. Palacios)
Santa Claus makes a surprise visit to the North American Aerospace Defense Command Tracks Santa Battle Cab Dec. 23 at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. Santa received Federal Aviation Administration, weather and air mission briefs. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Desiree N. Palacios)
Television screens with valuable information including the route of Santa Claus' projected flight path and weather updates fill the room of the North American Aerospace Defense Command Tracks Santa Battle Cab Dec. 23 at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. Santa received Federal Aviation Administration, weather and air mission briefs. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Desiree N. Palacios)
Santa Claus and Elf Dee make a surprise visit to the North American Aerospace Defense Command Tracks Santa Battle Cab Dec. 23 at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. Santa received Federal Aviation Administration, weather and air mission briefs. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Desiree N. Palacios)
Santa Claus and Elf Dee make a surprise visit to the North American Aerospace Defense Command Tracks Santa Battle Cab Dec. 23 at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. Santa received Federal Aviation Administration, weather and air mission briefs. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Desiree N. Palacios)
Santa Claus and Elf Dee make a surprise visit to the North American Aerospace Defense Command Tracks Santa Battle Cab Dec. 23 at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. Santa received Federal Aviation Administration, weather and air mission briefs. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Desiree N. Palacios)
Santa Claus makes a surprise visit to the North American Aerospace Defense Command Tracks Santa Battle Cab Dec. 23 at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. Santa received Federal Aviation Administration, weather and air mission brief. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Desiree N. Palacios)
Military members from the U.S. and Canadian air forces help set up the North American Aerospace Defense Command Tracks Santa Operations Center Dec. 22 at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Desiree N. Palacios)
Caller instructions are taped to phones at the North American Aerospace Defense Command Tracks Santa Operations Center Dec. 22 at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Desiree N. Palacios)
by Staff Sgt. Desiree N. Palacios
Defense Media Activity-San Antonio
12/24/2008 - PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFNS) -- Santa Claus visited the men and women of the North American Aerospace Defense Command Tracks Santa Battle Cab in preparation for his Christmas Eve journey Dec. 23 at Peterson Air Force Base.
Santa received a Federal Aviation Administration, weather and air mission brief from Maj. Gen. John H. Borderlon, the chief of staff for NORAD and Northern Command.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of NORAD's tracking of Santa on his flight around the world on Christmas Eve. NORAD took over the mission in 1958 from its predecessor, the Continental Defense Command, which began their tracking of Santa in 1955.
Not only does this year mark NORAD's 50th anniversary, but it's also Santa's first time ever to receive a briefing before Christmas Eve from the men and women at NORAD.
Although the briefing was informational, all details were disclosed as classified information and no kids were allowed.
Santa thanked all off those whose hard work goes into these operations and all of those who are working around the clock.
"We would like to thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to visit us here at NORAD," General Borderlon said to Santa. "We have an exciting briefing to prepare you on your journey."
"Merry Christmas boys and girls," yelled Santa as his belly jingled! "I promise I will follow all of your directions. We will maintain our flight and our speed according to plan."
However, Santa did mention NORAD is very important to Santa's flight because the general and his staff just briefed him on all the measures that they take to make sure that his flight around the world is not only quick and safe, but also they help him with all the weather plans, too.
After Santa's visit at NORAD, Santa made a quick stop to visit the children at one of the child development center's on Peterson AFB.
"Santa is here from the North Pole, and I want all the children to know that I have a special present for them and the best present of all is spending Christmas with their family and friends," Santa said. "That's the best present, right?"
The children were ecstatic as they jumped up and down during Santa's brief visit.
"Do you believe?" asked Santa.
"Yeah!" screamed the kids back at Santa.
"I want all the children to know, that Santa will be delivering presents to them tomorrow night after they are asleep because no matter where they are, Santa will not forget them because that is the meaning of Christmas: that we are special, that we are loved and no one is ever alone on Christmas," Santa said.
Santa reminded all children that they have to be good and they have to leave Santa a cookie and to promise that they will go to bed on time because Santa will come to see only those children who are sleeping.
And as quick as the snowstorm that rolled in during his visit, Santa was gone in a flash and took the winter chill from the North Pole with him.
"Have a happy holiday everyone," Santa said, "and be good because Santa loves you!"
