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Royal Navy helicopters launch Santa sorties
11 December 2025
Royal Navy helicopters launched special sorties to help Father Christmas visit schools in Somerset and Dorset.
With the reindeers resting up for an intensive Christmas period, naval helicopters from Royal Navy Air Station Yeovilton were drafted in for Operation Santa’s Sleigh.
Thirty local schools were visited by the helicopters, including a trip to a children’s hospice near Bristol, Charlton Farm, while three received special flypasts.
Other responsibilities included collecting letters from the school children for delivery to Santa.
Dave Gordon, Head Teacher of Countess Gytha Primary School in Queen Camel, said: “The children were delighted to watch Father Christmas touch down with the help of Yeovilton’s 846 Naval Air Squadron this year.
“We value our strong links with the base and appreciate their support in providing special opportunities to our children in this way.”
Among the helicopters were Wildcats from 815 and 825 Naval Air Squadrons, plus one from 1 Army Air Corps, and a Commando Merlin aircraft from Commando Helicopter Force’s 846 Naval Air Squadron.
Commanding Officer of 825 Naval Air Squadron, Commander Sammy Haynes said: “Bringing Santa into local schools in a Wildcat helicopter not only allows 825 Naval Air Squadron share some Christmas magic, but it also helps us maintain our strong links with our community.
“My team enjoy the challenge and teamwork of visiting lots of different schools, and the reward is seeing the excitement on the children’s faces.”
Operation Santa’s Sleigh is a whole station effort to help Santa, as Yeovilton’s helicopters wouldn’t fly without the engineers, air crew and supporting staff with Commando Helicopter Force’s Mobile Air Operations Team making sure school sites are safe to land.