Yokota Hercs ready to execute 54th anniversary of Christmas Drops

  • Published
  • By Maj. David Westover
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
The 374th Airlift Wing and 36th Airlift Squadron will continue the 54-year tradition of delivering much needed supplies to dozens of Micronesian islands beginning this weekend, as part of Operation Christmas Drops.

This will be the 19th consecutive year in which Airmen from the 374th Airlift Wing have teamed up with Andersen Air Force Base, Guam to provide food, clothing, toys and fishing supplies to the people of Micronesia.

This year's operation will include three Yokota C-130s, 59 islands and nearly 200 bundles of supplies that will be airdropped over the course of five days.

"It's great to be part of this tradition," said Col. Kevin Kilb, 374th Operations Group commander. "Every Christmas season, our aircrews and maintainers look forward to the chance to provide assistance and extend a little kindness to the people living on remote islands in the South Pacific."

The bundles of supplies are airdropped to the islanders by using containers that are rigged with obsolete, outmoded personnel parachutes. The C-130s fly at low-altitudes to visually ensure the accuracy and safety of the airdrops.

"This is an excellent training opportunity for our aircrews and maintainers, navigators, flight engineers and loadmasters," said Lt. Col. William Summers, 36th Airlift Squadron commander. "It's a winwin situation for all."

Operation Christmas Drops started in 1952 when the aircrew of a WB-50 aircraft assigned to the 54th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, formerly assigned to Andersen AFB, was flying a mission south of Guam over Kapingamaringi and noticed islanders waving to them from below.

In response, the aircrew gathered various items they had on-board, placed them in a container and attached a parachute.

As the aircraft circled back around, the aircrew dropped the bundle of supplies to the grateful people below.

"What better way to bring the holiday spirit to the Micronesian people," said Colonel Kilb. "And what a great opportunity to showcase the teamwork between dedicated Airmen of Yokota and Andersen."