Ho, ho, ho! Gather ’round, folks, because Santa’s got a new sleigh this year, and it’s called the 73rd Operation Christmas Drop!
On the frosty morning of December 14, 2024, not one, but seven C-130 airlifters from five different countries transformed into Santa’s elves, spreading holiday cheer across the Pacific with a whopping 77,300 pounds of joy!
Leading this magical mission was the 374th Airlift Wing from Yokota Air Base, Japan, with a little help from their friends at the Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, Republic of Korea Air Force, and Japan Air Self-Defense Force. Together, they turned the sky into a festive parade from December 8 to 14.
Over 300 merry personnel worked tirelessly, flying for 224 magical hours to deliver Christmas cheer to over 58 drop sites. Each bundle was like a mini Santa’s sack, packed with goodies like food, water, rice, snazzy clothing, diving gear (for those island adventures!), first-aid kits, and of course, toys because every Christmas needs a surprise gift!
These bundles were not just any packages; they were dressed up with festive drawings and messages shouting ‘Merry Christmas!’ and the heartwarming tagline, ‘Love from Above’. They were dropped using the clever Low Cost Low Altitude (LCLA) method, making sure each gift landed right where it was needed, like presents under a Christmas tree.
So, this year, the islands of the Pacific didn’t just wake up to the dawn; they woke to the joy of Christmas, courtesy of a sky full of love, laughter, and the spirit of giving. Merry Christmas, everyone!
The Tradition
Operation Christmas Drop is a tradition that started in 1952 that serves as a training mission for the U.S. Air Force. It has since become the longest-running U.S. Department of Defense mission in full operation, and the longest-running humanitarian airlift in the world. Supported by the local communities of Guam, it is primarily conducted from Andersen Air Force Base and Yokota Air Base, and targets Micronesia.
Videos uploaded on YouTube shows how USAF Airmen and Coast Guardsmen practiced the retrieval of dropped bundles from the ocean in a location near Guam days before Operation Christmas Drop itself.
The best way to spread Christmas cheer is with an Airdrop! 🎁🪂✈️
— Royal Australian Air Force (@AusAirForce) December 14, 2024
Hercules crews from 🇺🇸🇯🇵🇰🇷🇦🇺 are dropping bundles of donated goods to 20,000 people over an area of six million square kilometres.
Operation Christmas Drop 24 ❤️ from above.🎅#AusAirForce@INDOPACOM @PACAF pic.twitter.com/uBJySkYiHx
Kulo Na Ma Lulahp and Thank You to the United States Air Force, staff of U.S. Embassy in Pohnpei, Micronesia and US Indo-Pacific Command, as well as the FSM Government and Congress, Staff, Kosrae State Police and all parties involved for allowing Kosrae to be a part of this years Operation Christmas Drop.