Hello and welcome to the Fighter Pilot Podcast. I am your host, Vincent Ayelo.

Around this time of year we enjoy showcasing the hardworking men and women of the North American

Aerospace Defense Command who tirelessly track threats to the US and Canada all year long.

Well every December 24th their mission is modified slightly to ensure the safe passage of the

man in the big red suit as he delivers gifts to all the boys and girls on the nice list.

For the past two years we aired an episode featuring two Royal Canadian Air Force officers

directly involved in the tactical execution of this mission, but this year is different

as we hear from two senior leaders involved at the strategic level.

Please enjoy this special update on the NORAD Santa Tracker Program from US Air Force General

Glenn Van Herk, the Commander North American Aerospace Defense Command and US Northern Command

and US Marine Corps Sergeant Major James Porfield, the NORAD and Northcom senior enlisted leader.

Here we go.

The mission of NORAD, we have three missions specifically, Aerospace Warning, Aerospace Control

and Maritime Warning. Aerospace Warning is providing threat warning, potential threat warning

to North America from anything that emanates from the air domain or potentially from the

space domain. Aerospace control would mean anything that is a threat to North America we would

utilize our capabilities to detect, track and if required engage and then maritime warning.

On December 24th we always have a special mission, that mission is tracking Santa Claus as he

works his way around the globe and eventually into North America to ensure his safe passage.

The NORAD air and responsibilities divided into three regions, the Alaska NORAD region which

is headquartered in joint-based Elmendorf Richardson, Alaska, the Canadian NORAD region which

is headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada and the continental US NORAD region which is

...