Marine Corps Installations West

U.S. Marine Sgt. William Hinkle, an aerial observer with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Training Squadron 303, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, waves to families while dressed as Santa Claus as he flies over a neighborhood outside of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, in a UH-1Y Venom helicopter, Dec. 5, 2020. Since efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 have impacted holiday plans for many living in Southern California, HMLAT-303 wanted to bring Santa Claus to families living on base and the surrounding area to spread holiday cheer. Hinkle is a native of Parachute, Colorado. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Stephen Beard)

U.S. Marine Sgt. William Hinkle, an aerial observer with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Training Squadron 303, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, gets dressed as Santa while preparing for a UH-1Y Venom helicopter flight on Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Dec. 1, 2020. Hinkle will be flying in a Venom helicopter Dec. 5 dressed as Santa Claus in an effort to bring holiday cheer to families living on the base and surrounding area. Hinkle is a native of Parachute, Colorado. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Stephen Beard)

As Marines and sailors on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton prepare to celebrate the holiday season, Pendleton leaders are asking service members and their families to remember to wear facemarks and maintain social distance whenever possible. It is the responsibility of every Marine, sailor and family member to do what they can to mitigate the spread of disease while enjoying the holidays. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Lance Cpl. Drake Nickels)