Santa Soars Over Southern Maryland In Navy Seahawk Recon Flight

CALIFORNIA, Md. — Adm. Saint Nicholas, flying under his seasonal call sign Claus, completed his annual holiday readiness flight Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, thrilling classrooms and waterfronts across Southern Maryland as a U.S. Navy MH‑60S Seahawk traced an expanded route over St. Mary’s and Calvert counties.

The two‑hour mission, conducted with Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 21 (HX‑21), carried Claus and his crew of elves to more than two dozen schools, churches, and community landmarks. Children rushed outside, teachers paused lessons, and families gathered at piers and parks to wave skyward as the Seahawk passed overhead.

Stops included Patuxent Elementary, Leonardtown Middle, and Ridge Elementary, among others. The expanded route ensured more schools and neighborhoods could take part in the annual tradition, widening the circle of holiday cheer across the region.

Residents described the flyover as a seasonal highlight, noting the excitement of seeing Santa in a Navy helicopter. The spectacle marked the unofficial start of the Christmas countdown for many families, blending military precision with holiday magic.

HX‑21, known as the Blackjacks, coordinated the mission from Naval Air Station Patuxent River. The squadron, based there since 1949, provides developmental flight testing for Navy and Marine Corps rotary‑wing aircraft. Claus has made the squadron a regular stop in recent years, reinforcing ties between the holiday tradition and the aviation community.

Clear skies allowed the mission to proceed as scheduled, though backup dates of Dec. 10 and Dec. 16 were set in case of poor weather. With Rudolph and the reindeer resting ahead of Christmas Eve, the Seahawk served as Claus’ reconnaissance platform to finalize his lists.

By midday, Claus had completed his circuit, leaving behind a trail of excitement and anticipation. For Southern Maryland, the flyover was more than a spectacle — it was a reminder of community spirit and the joy of the season.