While Santa is busy making toy trains, dolls, wooden soldiers and Playstation 4’s at his North Pole workshop, NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command) is preparing to track him around the globe for the 60th consecutive year.

According to NORAD, the tracking operation began in 1955 when a local ad directed children to call Santa – only the number was misprinted. Instead of reaching Santa, the phone rang through to the crew commander on duty at the Continental Air Defense Command Operations Center, the predecessor to NORAD. 

This year’s iteration of NORAD Tracks Santa has kicked off with a more mobile-friendly website, social media channels, and streaming video through “Santa Cam.” 

Also, a call center will be operating around the clock on Dec. 24.  More than 1,400 volunteers are expected to join NORAD on Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs to help track Santa’s journey.

So when you look up at the sky on Christmas Eve, and see those eight reindeer and the big man himself, know that Santa is well protected and, hopefully, on schedule. 

Anyone looking for live updates on Santa’s location can call or text 1-877-HiNORAD on Dec. 24. 

This story will be updated as Christmas Day approaches.