NORAD

Stories 1 - 20 |  Next >>

Russian, Chinese Bombers Intercepted Near Alaska

It's the first time they've been intercepted while operating together

(Newser) - Russian and Chinese military aircraft flying near Alaska on Wednesday were intercepted by the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), the first time those countries have been intercepted while working together, according to a US defense official who spoke to CNN . Two Russian and two Chinese bombers were spotted in...

Fighter Jets Scramble Toward Balloon Over Utah

NORAD says object was a small, high-altitude balloon that doesn't pose national security threat

(Newser) - It was spy balloon deja vu on Friday, when fighter jets rushed to intercept a small high-altitude balloon in the skies over Utah, reports the Deseret News . Per a statement later that day from the North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, the balloon was at between 43,000 feet...

Off Alaska, More Activity in the Sky

NORAD says it intercepted 4 Russian fighter aircraft in international airspace that didn't pose threat

(Newser) - On Friday, an unidentified object was shot down off the coast of Alaska; on Monday, there was even more activity in the air near the Last Frontier—this time, a group of Russian fighter jets and strategic bombers intercepted by the US military in international airspace, according to the North...

US Shoots Down Craft High Over Canada's Yukon

Trudeau says he conferred with Biden and Air Force acted at his request

(Newser) - A US F-22 shot down an unidentified object flying at a high altitude over the Yukon territory on Saturday at Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's request. Trudeau tweeted that he'd discussed the matter with President Biden and that Canadian and US aircraft were scrambled after the object was...

'No Disrespect,' Says Caller Who Mentioned 'Brandon' to Biden

Online reaction to livestreamed slur isn't forgiving

(Newser) - Jared Schmeck and his family call the NORAD Santa tracker every Christmas Eve. This year was different. They didn't get Santa on the phone, but the Bidens were on the line, the Oregonian reports. And the event was livestreamed, which Schmeck said he wasn't expecting. The call went...

Yes, There Is a Santa Claus. No, COVID Won't Stop Him

NORAD is tracking St. Nick for the 66th year

(Newser) - Rest assured, kids of all ages: Santa’s coming this Christmas Eve, and a second holiday with COVID-19 won’t stop him. That’s the word from the joint US-Canadian military operation that for 66 years has been tracking Jolly Old St. Nicholas on his global mission and has assured...

Want to Stalk Santa? Here's Where He's at Right Now

Fire up NORAD's Santa Tracker to keep tabs on the bearded one

(Newser) - "He's on his way" can sound ominous without context, but for millions of kids around the world on Christmas Eve, those words are gold. CNN reports that the North American Aerospace Defense Command's Santa Tracker is officially up and running, keeping tabs on where jolly old St....

Russia's Air Force Has Been Busy Off the Coast of Alaska

NORAD says it intercepted multiple Russian fighter jets, bombers

(Newser) - US fighter jets are staying busy this week, thanks to a slew of Russian aircraft off the coast of Alaska. Per CNN , NORAD is reporting that American F-22 jets have intercepted Russian Tu-95 bombers and Su-35 fighter jets—not once, but twice over a two-day span. The first incident happened...

For Kid Trump Talked to, Santa Is Not 'Marginal'

7-year-old Collman Lloyd didn't know what 'marginal' meant, left cookies and milk for Santa

(Newser) - A 7-year-old girl who talked to President Trump on Christmas Eve still left out milk and cookies for Santa despite the president telling her it was "marginal" for a child of her age to still believe. Then again, Collman Lloyd of Lexington, SC, says she had never heard the...

Trump Tells Kid Believing in Santa at 7 Is 'Marginal'

And he's right, notes the 'New York Times'

(Newser) - President Trump and first lady Melania Trump took calls from children anxious to find out where Santa is on his gift-giving journey, reports the AP . In one conversation, Trump asked a 7-year-old named Collman, "Are you still a believer in Santa?" He listened for a moment before adding, "...

Shutdown Won't Stop NORAD Santa Tracker

Tradition started with a typo in 1955

(Newser) - It would take more than a partial government shutdown to stop the North American Aerospace Defense Command delivering its updates on Santa's progress on Christmas Eve. The military says the NORAD Tracks Santa operation from the joint US-Canadian command will proceed as normal this year because it is run...

Trump: 'I Predict Santa Will Bring You Building Blocks'

President takes calls from kids looking to find out where the big guy in red is

(Newser) - President Trump had a busy first Christmas Eve as commander in chief, partly spent as the Santa-tracker in chief. Trump and first lady Melania Trump took phone calls from kids calling in to NORAD to keep tabs on Santa's progress, reports the Hill . "What would you like more...

Hot on Santa's Trail: NORAD
 Hot on Santa's Trail: NORAD 
Dec 25, 2014 5:40 AM CST

Hot on Santa's Trail: NORAD

Annual Santa watch is growing, depending more on social media

(Newser) - Volunteers at the North American Aerospace Defense Command are monitoring Santa Claus as he makes his storybook Christmas Eve flight. So far, NORAD says it used the heat signature from Rudolph's nose to "track" St. Nick over spots ranging from Australia to South America and on to the...

US Jets Intercept 6 Russian Jets Near Alaska

Canada intercepts 2 more, while Sweden complains about 2 entering its airspace

(Newser) - Russian military pilots seem to be getting a little adventurous these days. A pair of US military jets intercepted six Russian aircraft near the coast of Alaska Wednesday evening, reports AP . The Russian pilots never entered US airspace, but instead remained in something called the Air Defense Identification Zone, which...

'Unresponsive' US Couple Crashes Plane Near Jamaica

US fighter jets followed plane as far as Cuba

(Newser) - A real estate developer and his wife flew "apparently incapacitated" on a 1,700-mile flight today before crashing off the coast of Jamaica, reports the AP . Rescue teams from the US are investigating, but the Democrat and Chronicle reports that Larry and Jane Glazer, both 68, have died. They...

Jet Makes U-Turn to Toronto After Passenger's Threats

Suspect's father says his son is unstable but not violent

(Newser) - Passengers flying from Toronto to Panama had to make a U-turn just 45 minutes into their flight yesterday after a man aboard the plane started yelling about bombing Canada, reports the CBC . The captain felt threatened enough to notify NORAD, and two US fighter jets escorted the Sunwing Airlines jet...

NORAD Drops Google Maps for 'Santa Tracker'

Google launches its own map for St. Nick

(Newser) - After five years of tracking Saint Nick, Google and NORAD are going their separate ways. The North American Aerospace Defense Command announced this week that it was now working with Microsoft Bing to follow Santa's worldwide progress, the Guardian reports. Google has launched its own "Santa tracker" including...

Your Friendly NORAD Operator: Michelle Obama

First lady takes kids' calls, questions

(Newser) - For little kids who just wanted to know what time Santa was going to hit the roof, the voice at the other end of the phone might have raised other questions: "Hello, this is the first lady, Michelle Obama, with NORAD, tracking Santa. How can I help you?" While...

Keep an Eye on Your Presents: Track Santa Online

Once again, NORAD keeps an eye on the big guy and his reindeer

(Newser) - The North American Aerospace Defense Command (aka NORAD) is back on the hunt for Santa by way of its Father Christmas Tracker . Developed three years ago, the Father Christmas Tracker site has racked up more than 2 billion hits, as eager kiddies take to the Internet to keep an eye...

NORAD Sets Sights on Santa
 NORAD Sets Sights on Santa  
ho, ho, ho
Dec 24, 2009 4:44 PM CST

NORAD Sets Sights on Santa

Bizarre tradition dates back to misprinted Christmas ad in 1955

(Newser) - The North American Aerospace Defense Command is ready for its busiest night of the year, when it puts mundane tasks like looking for wandering Russian bombers or North Korean missiles on the back burner and tracks Santa Claus. As it has every Christmas for more than 50 years, NORAD offers...

Stories 1 - 20 |  Next >>