Patrick Paul Gatchalian’s Post

**Overflight clearance: Santa Claus** Today, Global Affairs Canada | Affaires mondiales Canada’s Security and Defence Relations Division issued overflight and landing clearance to Operation HOHOHO, permitting Santa’s sleigh (radio call sign NUTCRACKER) to conduct “touch and go” landings as required for the period of December 24 to 25, 2023, inclusive. Santa would like to remind everyone that cookies and milk (and carrots for the crew) can continue to be shared, provided proper personal hygiene and food safety precautions are taken. A spokes-elf for Santa announced that the sleigh, complete with a nasal-luminescent guidance system, a.k.a. Rudolph, and with support from 8 flying crew (you know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen, Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen), has passed airworthiness assessments conducted by 1 Canadian Air Division, and that NORAD has consented to these overflight activities in support of good children around the globe. Canadian officials are on standby to provide Santa with consular services at more than 260 points of service in over 150 countries worldwide. NORAD will provide Santa with a pre-flight briefing at Canadian Forces Station Alert. A Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18 aircraft will be temporarily deployed to escort the sleigh while in Canadian airspace. Follow Santa’s progress online at NORAD tracks Santa (https://lnkd.in/e-5NX7MS) or on Instagram at @noradtrackssanta_official. Children can speak with a live phone operator to inquire about Santa’s whereabouts by dialing the toll-free number 1-877-HI-NORAD (1-877-446-6723). NORAD Tracks Santa started in 1955, when a Colorado Springs newspaper advertisement provided children with instructions on how to call Santa directly. But the number given was misprinted, so that instead of reaching Santa, the phone rang through to the crew commander on duty at the nearby Continental Air Defense Command centre. Thus began a tradition that NORAD continues to this day. From our “crew” to yours, best wishes for a healthy holiday season in Ottawa and around the world!