Instructions from Flight Command
Elves, Trackers and Believers Worldwide:
No doubt you have heard the news of challenges we have had this past week with Operation Airlift. The news coming out of Flight Command in recent hours has not been any better.
While I am unable to give you an estimate of exactly how far behind we are I can provide you with information of how we are going to deal with this problem. As elves, working together around the world, we are confident we can help Santa deliver on time and safely, regardless of the weather.
Here is the challenge: Operation Airlift is 100% to Sectors 1, 2 and 3. We have deliberately distributed what Santa needs to those sectors first.
That does not mean we can have trackers and support personnel in Sectors 1,2 and 3 rest easy, however. We need you more than ever.
Why?
Because Elf Buck Sanchez and his team in flight operations at the North Pole are changing tactics in their struggle to get sleighs out. We have expanded sleigh launches from the Sleigh Barn and the Reindeer Barn, in addition to what you have heard about the Field House at North Pole High School. We are also working still to free a runway at the Sleigh Port to launch sleighs as well.
That multi-front operation means sleighs are leaving the North Pole under challenging storm conditions in every direction. That means those sleighs, as the surface above the storm, are headed into every sector. This will be true for the next 18 hours at least.
This is not our preferred method of doing this. We are working the sleigh traffic controllers at Flight Command, in every Regional Tracking Center, and on every ship of the North Pole Navy, at a highly complex level.
There are, as of right now, more sleighs in the skies than there ever have been in history. That number will increase and peak in the hours ahead.
Bearing all that in mind, please make it a REGULAR habit today to watch the skies where you are, day and night. If you see what you think is a sleigh, take photos or videos and submit it.
But more important than sleighs, and this is very unusual, is your observance of ALL AIR TRAFFIC.
I want all elves in each sector, where possible, to submit an AIR TRAFFIC report every six hours. I know this is asking a lot.
In addition, please keep weather reports coming every six hours as well. In fact, do both reports and submit them at the same time.
We’re not just trying to help Santa here: we’re trying to help every sleigh pilot up there in every area as well as every sleigh traffic controller.
I hope this instruction is clear.
If you have questions, please use the comment area below.
Thanks!
What the Red Zone Means
Trackers in All Sectors,
In just about 12 hours it will be dawning of Christmas Eve day in Sector 1. Whenever a sector enters into Christmas Eve day we call it entering the Red Zone.
What is the Red Zone?
You’re going to see those words in headlines, hear them on the radio, and read about them on the Official North Pole websites.
It means the sector is fully active – that Santa’s deliveries could happen at any time and that Santa is likely in the air or soon to be in the air within that sector. It also means that OTHER sleighs besides Santa’s sleigh could also be active within the sector.
It is possible for more than one sector to be in the Red Zone.
As a tracker elf, you will want to be as attentive as possible when your sector is in the Red Zone. That is when you might be called upon to report on something that might help Santa.
Be ready to be in the Red Zone soon!
Weather Updates Needed
Greetings from Kochi, India!
North Pole Flight Command has informed me that we have a lot of sleighs in the skies associated with Operation Airlift either here now or coming soon over the next 48 hours.
From those elves who are able we need fresh, updated weather reports from all trackers who are able to supply them from their locations EVERY 8 HOURS.
We can do this!
If you have any questions please post them below.
Thanks!
Tracking Santa 2024 – New Podcast

Elf Frank Myrrh and Elf Crash Murphy converse as elves begin checking in around the world for Tracking Santa 2024. They discuss current events at the North Pole including the crisis with Operation Airlift and what it means for tracker elves.
A lot of time is spent answering questions submitted by tracker elves and there were many submitted. Details of how Santa flies and how to spot a flying sleigh in the skies is discussed in depth.
This podcast episode was produced on Saturday, December 21st, just as elves began checking in. It contains very timely information as the final hours until Santa’s launch countdown. We encourage elves everywhere to give it a listen.