NORAD Tracks Santa operations center relocates to Peterson AFB Published Nov. 29, 2006 By Staff Reports NORAD Public Affairs PETERSON AFB, Colo. -- "Hello. I'm your NORAD Santa Tracker!"Come Christmas Eve, these words will be on the tip of every tongue in the "NORAD Tracks Santa" Operations Center. Last year, 550 volunteers answered more than 55,000 telephone calls and 7,000 e-mails from children around the world inquiring about Santa's whereabouts on Christmas Eve. "This year, we expect to receive even more calls and e-mails since the toll free number - 1-877-Hi-NORAD - and the e-mail addresses for sending NORAD and Santa e-mail are listed on the fabulously popular NORAD Tracks Santa web site," said Maj. Stacia Reddish, 2006 NORAD Tracks Santa project officer. From its inception in 1998, the www.noradsanta.org web site has received more and more hits every year - last year, the site received a staggering 912 million hits from 204 countries and territories. The sheer number of people it takes to handle that huge volume of calls and e-mails is the primary reason the "NORAD Tracks Santa" Operations Center is moving from the small building just outside the Cheyenne Mountain AFS complex to a larger building this year. This year, the "NORAD Tracks Santa" Operations Center will relocate to the Leadership Development Center, Building 910, on Peterson AFB. "The LDC is a perfect location," said Major Reddish. "We have ample room to more than double the number of telephones and computers this year - now we just need the volunteers to man the additional phones and computers." In the past, getting volunteers has not been a problem at all - in fact, the two-hour shifts usually fill up quite early. "However," notes Major Reddish, "since Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday this year, filling those additional seats may pose a bit of a challenge. And we need more volunteers than ever this year - as many as 800 volunteers. "This is a great, fun event - we have volunteers who do this year after year; it has become their family 'tradition' to help track Santa on Christmas Eve," she adds. The operations center is a fun, festive place - complete with special guest appearances (see below). Snacks and beverages will be provided, and volunteers are invited to bring their families with them - a special room for younger children will be available. To become a NORAD Santa Tracker this year, send an e-mail to nnc.pa.nts.omb@northcom.mil and registration forms will be forwarded to you. No experience is required and anyone who has access to Peterson AFB and is age 14 or older can volunteer. Shifts are two hours long and run from 2 a.m. Dec. 24 through 2 a.m. Dec. 25. Some very special guests will make volunteering a fun, family affair. 1 to 3:30 p.m. - Clifford the Big Red Dog and Curious George 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. - Sky Sox Fox TBC - Jay Jay the Jet Plane What NORAD Santa Trackers need to know! · Being a NORAD Santa Tracker is a fun, family activity. · No experience required. · Anyone who has access to Peterson AFB and who is at least 14 years old can volunteer. · Shifts are two hours long and begin at 2 a.m. Dec. 24. · The last shift ends at 2 a.m. Dec. 25.Comment on this story.