“So what is it with the Pentagon’s fascination with Santa’s flight plans?,” the Wall Street Journal asks.

“Last week came the news that fighter jets from North American Air Command would escort Santa—in part because of the various Air Defense Identification Zones that St. Nick would have to negotiate.”

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel also weighed in: “I hope Santa stops in Afghanistan. I know you all have been good. And you deserve to have him stop.”