NORAD raises eyebrows by giving Santa fighter jet escort

COLORADO SPRINGS, Dec. 24 (UPI) -- The North American Aerospace Defense Command's annual Santa-tracking website raised controversy with a video showing Santa being escorted by fighter jets.

The video, released Tuesday morning on NORAD's interactive Santa-tracking website, depicted Santa flying over the Arctic Ocean with two military jets as escorts, ABC News reported Tuesday.

The video sparked controversy among some, including a Boston parents group that called it troubling. Critics said the video could leave children with the fear that Santa is in danger of being attacked.

NORAD released a statement Tuesday morning in response to the criticism.

"America, good morning. This is Maj. Gen. Charles Luckey, from NORAD," the statement said. "There's been discussion or concern about the latest website that NORAD has and the way we track Santa. NORAD's doing what NORAD's been doing for almost 60 years now, making sure that Santa's travels are safe and secure."