Yet Another Class of 500 Rookie Reindeer
The count is now up to 1400 new reindeer in the Rookie Reindeer program. Another 500 have started their training this week.
We are looking for 5000 to be recruited, trained and ready to fly by December 23rd.
Some are getting nervous about that.
If that goal of 5000 is to be met we need to pick up the pace on finding these reindeer and getting them into the program.
How important will they be?
Very important. They will be the fuel behind Operation Airlift. Those are the sleighs that fly in support of Santa on Christmas Eve. Their biggest duty will be to shuttle presents from different warehouses to Santa’s sleigh, no matter where it is.
The young reindeer will be powering 3500 sleighs dedicated to the effort – and that’s a record number.
They need to have both speed and stamina, because they travel long distances all night long.
This is why they are recruiting young reindeer.
Remember, there will be 5000 new reindeer but up to 100,000 reindeer over all are expected to be used as part of Operation Airlift. Santa used that number himself in talking about it. That means Operation Airlift will be running at record levels this year.
Nearly every available reindeer will be needed for Santa this year. So this recruiting drive is really important.
We will keep you updated on the progress of the Rookie Reindeer program.
- Helga is Sluggish in First Tests - October 7, 2026
- Test Flights Transitioning - October 1, 2026
- Shocking Test Flight Results - September 23, 2026
