Aircraft Carriers

SANTA CLAUS ASSISTS FLIGHT OPERATIONS ON BOARD USS GEORGE WASHINGTON AIRCRAFT CARRIER

Each year during Christmas season a sailor dressed as Santa Claus is tasked to direct aircraft movement during flight operations aboard U.S. Navy flattops

Taken on Dec. 10, 2016 the pictures in this article show Santa Claus giving the signal to launch a T-45C Goshawk from Training Air Wing Two (TRAWING) 2 on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73).

George Washington, homeported in Norfolk, is underway conducting carrier qualifications in the Atlantic Ocean.

Actually, this is not the first time that a catapult officer dresses up as Santa Claus to assist flight operations on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier: in fact each year during Christmas season a sailor dressed as Santa Claus is tasked to direct aircraft movement during flight operations aboard U.S. Navy flattops.

Photo credit: Petty Officer 3rd Class Wyatt L. Anthony / U.S. Navy

Dario Leone

Dario Leone is an aviation, defense and military writer. He is the Founder and Editor of “The Aviation Geek Club” one of the world’s most read military aviation blogs. His writing has appeared in The National Interest and other news media. He has reported from Europe and flown Super Puma and Cougar helicopters with the Swiss Air Force.

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