For more than 60 years, the North American Aerospace Defense Command, better known as NORAD, and its predecessor, the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) have tracked Santa’s flight around the world on Dec. 24. And it will continue this year, even if there’s a government shutdown, the operations center said Friday in a tweet. In the event of a government shutdown, NORAD will continue with its 63-year tradition of NORAD Tracks Santa on Dec.