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Santa waves after landing at Naval Station Norfolk after a flight on a MH-60S Knighthawk helicopter flown by Navy pilots from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 2, also known as the “Fleet Angels,” on Dec. 9, 2017.

Santa waves after landing at Naval Station Norfolk after a flight on a MH-60S Knighthawk helicopter flown by Navy pilots from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 2, also known as the “Fleet Angels,” on Dec. 9, 2017. (Facebook)

(Tribune News Service) — When Hampton Roads residents look to the sky Saturday morning, they might spot Santa Claus. But he won’t be in a big sleigh pulled by Prancer and Dancer.

Instead, Santa will be in an MH-60S Knighthawk helicopter training with the Navy as he prepares for Christmas.

After departing from Naval Station Norfolk, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 2 will fly Santa around Hampton Roads from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday.

The “Fleet Angels” squadron will help Santa practice his holiday drops — and spread a little cheer — during the two-hour flight. This is the third year the Fleet Angels have helped Santa prepare for Christmas.

“It is always a great day when Santa is able to fly with our pilots and aircrew during a scheduled training flight,” said Cmdr. Santico “Tico” Valenzuela, the squadron’s commanding officer.

The festive fly-by can be spotted at the following locations:

Norfolk Naval Base: 10 a.m.

Patrick Henry Mall in Newport News: 10:05 a.m.

Riverpointe Shopping Center in Hampton: 10:15 a.m.

Town Point Park in Norfolk: 10:25 a.m.

Mount Trashmore in Virginia Beach: 10:35 a.m.

Cox High School in Virginia Beach: 10:45 a.m.

Lesnar Bridge in Virginia Beach: 10:55 a.m.

Fort Story in Virginia Beach: 11:05 a.m.

Virginia Beach Oceanfront: 11:15 a.m.

Greenbrier Mall in Chesapeake: 11:30 a.m.

Columbia Park in Portsmouth: 11:40 a.m.

Suffolk Walmart Supercenter at 1200 Main Street: 11:50 a.m.

Santa will be played by a Navy service member assigned to the squadron. He will be joined by another service member dressed as an elf.

A map of Santa’s flight schedule. The Santa flight will be taking place on Dec. 3, 2022.

A map of Santa’s flight schedule. The Santa flight will be taking place on Dec. 3, 2022. (Facebook)

©2022 The Virginian-Pilot. Visit pilotonline.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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