Operation Christmas Drop a team effort

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Christopher Love
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan (AFNS) --  Airmen stationed in Japan and Guam are experiencing the joy of giving on an epic scale this holiday season.

This year marks the 23rd year Airmen from Yokota AFB are participating in Operation Christmas Drop, an annual humanitarian mission hosted in conjunction with volunteers and personnel from Anderson Air Force Base, Guam.

At 59 consecutive years, Operation Christmas Drop ranks as the Air Force's longest-running airdrop mission.

As the name implies, the mission involves dropping a "gift" -- a crate full of food, clothing, tools, toys and other items essential for everyday living -- to Micronesian islands, in the spirit of goodwill and holiday cheer.

"We, in the C-130 (Hercules), community enjoy a great deal of versatility, whether it's in combat or humanitarian relief," said Col. Otto Feather, the 374th Airlift Wing commander. "This opportunity not only allows us to share our blessings with the rest of the community here in the islands, but it also allows us to train with three different wings."

That cooperative training is invaluable when it comes to preparing to respond to a call for assistance.

"Every aspect of our Air Force has come together to make this mission a success," the colonel said. "When it comes together, it's like an orchestra that just sounds great."

Yet the success of Operation Christmas Drop depends on Air Force personnel and on the time and generosity of numerous charitable organizations, including some from Japan.

"The fact that we're down here at Guam, so many miles away from Japan, and knowing that our neighbors from Tachikawa came together to put together money for chutes and supplies to be able to deliver to these islands, is really huge, " Colonel Feather said. "We enjoy a very good relationship with our Japanese partners."

Colonel Mark Hering, the 374th Operations Group commander, participated in Operation Christmas Drop in December of 2009.

"I can say that in my 20 years of flying the C-130, it was one of the most moving missions, just hearing the voices on the other side of that radio and the excitement from all the islanders, hearing that a C-130 and a bundle from the sky were coming inbound."