Weather flight spins up 'Santa's Mailbag' program Published Dec. 12, 2005 EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska (AFPN) -- Air Force volunteers are once again hosting Santa’s Mailbag, a free holiday program that lets children from around the world request and receive a letter from Santa Claus postmarked from North Pole, Alaska. Members of the 58th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron started the program more than 50 years ago to help Airmen at Eielson get into the Christmas spirit, said Capt. Jason Wild, commander of the 354th Operations Support Squadron combat weather flight. “Members of the combat weather flight now carry on that legacy,” he said. Each year, the unit receives thousands of “Dear Santa Claus” letters and Christmas wish lists. Flight volunteers read the letters, select appropriate replies and mail them from Santa Claus with an official North Pole postmark. Last year, the program received more than 4,000 letters. “It is an important local tradition which has been carried on by weather Airmen for more than half a century,” Captain Wild said. “We get to bring happiness to children around the globe when they receive their very own letter from Santa postmarked with a North Pole stamp.” The volunteers started processing letters in late November and will continue through Christmas. The flight must receive letters to Santa by mid-December to ensure a reply before Christmas. Children whose letters arrive too late will get a special “after Christmas” letter from Santa. Letters from Santa are still available. Write to Santa at: Santa’s Mailbag, 354th OSS/OSW, 2827 Flightline Ave. Suite 100B, Eielson AFB AK 99702-1520. There is no cost for letters, but self-addressed stamped envelopes or donations made out to “Santa’s Mailbag” help to defray the cost of postage and supplies.