(U.S. Navy photo by Jonathan Bass)
UPDATE: Adm. Santa Claus took to the skies aboard a UH-1Y Huey helicopter on the afternoon of December 14th with holiday helpers from the HX-21 Blackjacks for a pre-mission planning fight.
The sortie focused on reconnaissance ahead of his upcoming operations on Christmas Eve. Children are advised to stay mission focused and maintain best behavior through the remainder of the season.
(U.S. Navy photos by Jonathan Bass)
12/12/2022: Families across Southern Maryland should be on the lookout as Adm. Santa Claus conducts pre-deployment mission planning over St. Mary’s County on Dec. 14 from 2:30-4:30 p.m.
Adm. S. Claus waves from a helicopter near the Patuxent River ahead of a reconnaissance mission over Southern Maryland. Families across St. Mary’s County have a chance to glimpse the man with the big red bag flying aboard a UH-1Y Huey helicopter over regional neighborhoods on Dec. 14 between 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. EST. (U.S. Navy photo)
Regional residents who keep an eye on the skies have a chance to see Saint Nicholas, also known by call sign “Claus,” flying with elves and other holiday helpers from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (HX) 21 aboard a UH-1Y Huey helicopter.
Children are advised to be on their best behavior as Claus spreads holiday cheer and conducts reconnaissance for his upcoming operations on Christmas Eve.
While exact flight plans are classified, Claus and the HX-21 crew will fly over local neighborhoods including the Patuxent River Beach Houses, Chesapeake Ranch Airport, Solomons Island, Town Creek, Esperanza Farms, St. Mary’s County Airport, Leonardtown, Wildewood, Chancellor’s Run, Lexington Park, and Cedar Cove.
(U.S. Navy photo by Jonathan Bass)
(U.S. Navy photo by Jonathan Bass)
HX-21 is a component of Naval Test Wing Atlantic and the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division. Nicknamed the “Blackjacks,” the squadron provides developmental flight test and evaluation for U.S. Navy and Marine Corps rotary-wing and tilt-rotor aircraft. NAS Patuxent River has been home to HX-21 since 1949.
(U.S. Navy photo by Jonathan Bass)
(U.S. Navy photo by Jonathan Bass)
(U.S. Navy photo by Jonathan Bass)
A map depicts Adm. S. Claus’ flight plan over neighborhoods across Southern Maryland for a pre-deployment reconnaissance mission ahead of an annual operation planned on Christmas Eve. Claus will fly with elves and other holiday helpers from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (HX) 21 out of Naval Air Station Patuxent River on Dec. 14. (U.S. Navy photo)
Adm. S. Claus waves from a helicopter near the Patuxent River ahead of a reconnaissance mission over Southern Maryland. Families across St. Mary’s County have a chance to glimpse the man with the big red bag flying aboard a UH-1Y Huey helicopter over regional neighborhoods on Dec. 14 between 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. EST. (U.S. Navy photo)
