Sailors and Families Track Santa...

Story Number: NNS131217-18Release Date: 12/17/2013 3:21:00 PM
From Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs

MILLINGTON, Tenn. (NNS) -- With the holidays in full swing, many Sailors are searching for ways to stay connected with their children while away on deployment. This year, families can establish a new holiday tradition by tracking Santa Claus's travels.

OPNAV N171 has partnered up with North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) for its 58th annual "NORAD Tracks Santa" campaign, offering Sailors and families a fun way to stay connected this holiday season no matter where they are in the world. Through Facebook, www.facebook.com/navstress, Navy Operational Stress Control will help families follow Santa's whereabouts as he embarks on his annual Christmas trip around the world.

The NavStress Facebook page will also host NORAD Tracks Santa coloring pages for families to download and enjoy at home. Navy children are encouraged to upload and email their completed coloring pages to their deployed loved ones to spread holiday joy. Completed NORAD Tracks Santa coloring pages can also be uploaded to the "Tracking Santa" photo album on the NavStress Facebook page to be shared with the entire Navy community, and maybe even Santa himself.

"Holiday traditions are important to our families," said Capt. Kurt Scott, OPNAV N171 branch head. "Maintaining them can be challenging when Sailors are deployed and away from home for months on end. I spent many holidays away from my family as a young officer, and establishing new traditions was the best way to ease the pain of separation for all of us. Engaging with 'NORAD Tracks Santa' offers a way for Sailors and their children to 'connect' and follow Santa all over the globe, so they can still feel like an active part of the family's holiday activities and create meaningful memories."

The newly redesigned "NORAD Tracks Santa" website, www.noradsanta.org, went live Dec. 1 and features a holiday countdown, daily games and activities, videos, music and more for families to share with each other. Starting at 12:01 a.m. MST on Dec. 24, website visitors can watch Santa make preparations for his flight through the Bing maps and Cesium technology to track Santa with NORAD in 2D and 3D. Then, at 4 a.m. MST (6 a.m. EST), trackers worldwide can speak with a live phone operator to keep up with Santa's whereabouts by dialing the toll-free number 1-877-Hi-NORAD (1-877-446-6723) or by sending an email to noradtrackssanta@outlook.com.

Sailors are also encouraged to spread holiday cheer and promote cohesion throughout their commands by taking photos and videos with Santa onboard their ship or installation. Tag @NavStress to photos and videos posted on Facebook to engage with tracking Santa efforts. For inspiration, see USS Carl Vinson's (CVN 70) 2012 video produced for their loved ones, available on the ship's Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150346564345207.

For more information about NORAD Tracks Santa, visit www.noradsanta.org

31212-N-GN619-252
ATLANTIC OCEAN (Dec. 12, 2013) Santa Claus takes the helm on the bridge of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). Morale, Welfare and Recreation is holding a number of holiday events onboard Theodore Roosevelt, including a Santa Claus tour around the ship. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kris R. Lindstrom/Released)