7th SWS tracks Santa Claus around the world

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Siobhan Bennett
  • 9th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs
BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  On Christmas Eve, Beale Air Force Base kept the magic of Santa Claus alive as 300 children and family members filtered through the 7th Space Warning Squadron's radar tower to track Santa on his sleigh and talk to him on his special satellite phone.

During the event, 7th SWS brings those who make the competitive list of attendees up to the squadron's kitchen first for hot chocolate, cookies, games, and coloring and then up to the radar tower to track Santa's progress on the high-tech satellite system. Santa Claus even called into the tower to talk to the children by name and reminded them to leave him cookies and be nice on Christmas.

7th SWS hosts the event to create a family atmosphere on base during the holidays, primarily for those families with deployed parents. Many families look forward to the event, so the list of attendees fills up fast.

"A lot of parents are deployed, so their children can come here and it makes the holidays special for them with their loved ones so far from home," said Capt. Shannon Ng, 7th SWS.

Families who attended the event only had positive things to say about their experiences.

"This event was amazing," Beth Stegeman said. "We've been in the military for 18 years, and this was the first time we've had the opportunity to do this. It was an added element to our holiday. They really keep the magic of Santa alive, and seeing the children's faces when they talked to him -- it was precious."

Every year, 7th SWS gathers about 20 volunteers from within their squadron to offer Team Beale this unique opportunity. Beale works together with Peterson Air force Base, Colorado, as part of a chain of radar sites under the North American Aerospace Defense Command.

"Having the radar allows us to track 45,000 objects orbiting the earth, Santa being one of them," said Lt. Col. Mark Sorapuru, 7th SWS commander.

Airman 1st Class Sonny Gutierrez, 7th SWS, explained how such an event makes Beale unique.

"For children around here to see what we do and have the opportunity to talk to Santa Claus, it makes Beale special," Gutierrez said.

As the holidays come to an end and Rudolph guides Santa's sleigh back to the North Pole to prepare for next year's Christmas, members of the 7th SWS continue their work following Santa's tracks around the world in support of NORAD and Team Beale.

"This event is something we can do to bring joy to the children whose parents are deployed," Sorapuru said. "We enjoy being part of Team Beale; it's our way of giving back to the Beale community for all the support it gives to us."

7th SWS tracks Santa Claus around the world

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Siobhan Bennett
  • 9th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs
BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  On Christmas Eve, Beale Air Force Base kept the magic of Santa Claus alive as 300 children and family members filtered through the 7th Space Warning Squadron's radar tower to track Santa on his sleigh and talk to him on his special satellite phone.

During the event, 7th SWS brings those who make the competitive list of attendees up to the squadron's kitchen first for hot chocolate, cookies, games, and coloring and then up to the radar tower to track Santa's progress on the high-tech satellite system. Santa Claus even called into the tower to talk to the children by name and reminded them to leave him cookies and be nice on Christmas.

7th SWS hosts the event to create a family atmosphere on base during the holidays, primarily for those families with deployed parents. Many families look forward to the event, so the list of attendees fills up fast.

"A lot of parents are deployed, so their children can come here and it makes the holidays special for them with their loved ones so far from home," said Capt. Shannon Ng, 7th SWS.

Families who attended the event only had positive things to say about their experiences.

"This event was amazing," Beth Stegeman said. "We've been in the military for 18 years, and this was the first time we've had the opportunity to do this. It was an added element to our holiday. They really keep the magic of Santa alive, and seeing the children's faces when they talked to him -- it was precious."

Every year, 7th SWS gathers about 20 volunteers from within their squadron to offer Team Beale this unique opportunity. Beale works together with Peterson Air force Base, Colorado, as part of a chain of radar sites under the North American Aerospace Defense Command.

"Having the radar allows us to track 45,000 objects orbiting the earth, Santa being one of them," said Lt. Col. Mark Sorapuru, 7th SWS commander.

Airman 1st Class Sonny Gutierrez, 7th SWS, explained how such an event makes Beale unique.

"For children around here to see what we do and have the opportunity to talk to Santa Claus, it makes Beale special," Gutierrez said.

As the holidays come to an end and Rudolph guides Santa's sleigh back to the North Pole to prepare for next year's Christmas, members of the 7th SWS continue their work following Santa's tracks around the world in support of NORAD and Team Beale.

"This event is something we can do to bring joy to the children whose parents are deployed," Sorapuru said. "We enjoy being part of Team Beale; it's our way of giving back to the Beale community for all the support it gives to us."