Yokota Air Base

A Christmas Drop story

Senior Airman Nicholas Oswald, left, 36th Airlift Squadron C-130H loadmaster, and Tech. Sgt. Jonathan Lange, 36 AS C-130H Hercules instructor loadmaster, stand on the loading ramp after dropping bundles of donated goods over the Pacific islands during Operation Christmas Drop 2016, Dec. 11, 2016. The aircrew dropped bundles of food, supplies and gifts over the Micronesian Islands. Each year OCD provides aid to over 30,000 islanders in Chuuk, Palau, Yap, Marshall Islands and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Elizabeth Baker)

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A Christmas Drop story

Airmen with the 374th Airlift Wing Combat Mobility Flight and the Royal Australian Air Force rig bundles of donated goods for Operation Christmas Drop 2016 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Dec. 3, 2016. Operation Christmas Drop highlights the U.S. and allied airpower capabilities to orient and respond to activities in peacetime and crisis. In addition to delivering critical supplies to those in need, OCD provides specific training to U.S. and allied aircrews, enabling theater-wide airpower. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Elizabeth Baker)

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A Christmas Drop story

Members of Team Andersen load bundles of donated good onto a 36th Airlift Squadron C-130H Hercules for Operation Christmas Drop 2016 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Dec. 10, 2016. Operation Christmas Drop highlights the U.S. and allied airpower capabilities to orient and respond to activities in peacetime and crisis. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Elizabeth Baker)

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A Christmas Drop story

36th Airlift Squadron loadmasters load bundles of donated goods onto a C-130H Hercules during Operation Christmas Drop 2016 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Dec. 9, 2016. Every December, C-130H Hercules aircrews from Yokota Air Base, Japan, head to Andersen Air Force Base to execute low-cost, low-altitude humanitarian airdrops to islanders throughout the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, Federated States of Micronesia and Republic of Palau. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Elizabeth Baker)

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A Christmas Drop story

Master Sgt. Ryan Atkinson, 36th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, prepares a bundle of donated goods for airlift during Operation Christmas Drop 2016 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Dec. 9, 2016. This year marks 65 years of OCD, which provides joint airlift training opportunities for both peace and wartime efforts. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Elizabeth Baker)

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A Christmas Drop story

Members of the 374th Maintenance Group wait for a C-130H Hercules to takeoff during Operation Christmas Drop 2016 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Dec. 9, 2016. This year marks the 65th year of OCD, which began in 1952, making it the world's longest-running airdrop mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Elizabeth Baker)

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A Christmas Drop story

Senior Airman Benjamin Campanella, 374th Maintenance Group crew chief, and Tech. Sgt. Jonathan Lange, 36th Airlift Squadron C-130H Hercules instructor loadmaster, inspect a hydraulic leak on the wing of a C-130H Hercules during Operation Christmas Drop 2016 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Dec. 10, 2016. Operation Christmas Drop highlights the U.S. and allied airpower capabilities to orient and respond to activities in peacetime and crisis. In addition to delivering critical supplies to those in need, OCD provides specific training to U.S. and allied aircrews, enabling theater-wide airpower. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Elizabeth Baker)

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A Christmas Drop story

Senior Airman John Huerta, 374th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron communications and navigation systems journeyman, and Tech Sgt. Ross Mcquiggan, 374 AMXS aerospace maintenance craftsman, retract a power cable from a C-130H Hercules in preparation for takeoff during Operation Christmas Drop 2016 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Dec. 10, 2016. Operation Christmas Drop highlights the U.S. and allied airpower capabilities to orient and respond to activities in peacetime and crisis. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Elizabeth Baker)

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A Christmas Drop story

Senior Airman Benjamin Campanella, 374th Maintenance Group crew chief, pats a C-130H Hercules assigned to the 36th Airlift Squadron on the nose while awaiting takeoff during Operation Christmas Drop 2016 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Dec. 10, 2016. This year marks 65 years of OCD, which provides joint airlift training opportunities for both peace and wartime efforts. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Elizabeth Baker)

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A Christmas Drop story

Senior Airman Joshua Acosta-Radilla, 374th Maintenance Group aircraft structural maintenance apprentice, inspects the wing of a C-130H Hercules during Operation Christmas Drop 2016 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Dec. 10, 2016. Every December, C-130H Hercules maintainers from Yokota head to Andersen Air Force Base to support low-cost, low-altitude humanitarian airdrops to islanders throughout the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, Federated States of Micronesia and Republic of Palau. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Elizabeth Baker)

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A Christmas Drop story

Master Sgt. Christopher Mace, 374th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, prepares to marshal a C-130H Hercules assigned to the 36th Airlift Squadron during Operation Christmas Drop 2016 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Dec. 7, 2016. Operation Christmas Drop is a joint-training operation between the U.S. Air Force, the Royal Australian Air Force and the Japanese Air Self Defense Force wherein C-130 air crews deliver bundles of donated supplies to the Micronesian Islands. This year is the 65th anniversary of OCD, making it the longest running humanitarian mission in the world. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Elizabeth Baker/)

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A Christmas Drop story

Members of the Japan Air Self Defense Force stand at parade rest as a C-130H Hercules begins to taxi for takeoff during Operation Christmas Drop at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Dec. 7, 2016. This year the U.S. Air Force, Royal Australian air force and JASDF worked together to continue the tradition of air dropping tools, food, clothing and toys throughout the Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Elizabeth Baker/Released)

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A Christmas Drop story

Staff Sgt. Solomon Faulkner, 374th Maintenance Squadron aerospace ground equipment craftsman, and Senior Airman Benjamin Campanella, 374th Maintenance Group crew chief, salute a C-130H Hercules assigned to the 36th Airlift Squadron before takeoff during Operation Christmas Drop at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Dec. 10, 2016. Each year OCD provides aid to over 30,000 islanders in Chuuk, Palau, Yap, Marshall Islands and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Elizabeth Baker)

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A Christmas Drop story

Capt. Jody Robertson, 36th Airlift Squadron flight commander, and 1st Lt. Chad Moore, 36 AS pilot, bank a C-130H Hercules over a Pacific island during Operation Christmas Drop 2016, Dec. 11, 2016. This year marks the 65th year of OCD, which began in 1952, making it the world's longest-running airdrop mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Elizabeth Baker)

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A Christmas Drop story

Senior Airman Angel Torres, right, 36th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, is observed by Senior Airman Demore Rogers, 36 AS loadmaster, as he makes sure a bundle of donated goods is properly secured over the Pacific Ocean, Dec. 6, 2016. This year marks the 65th year of Operation Christmas Drop, which began in 1952, making it the world's longest-running airdrop mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Elizabeth Baker)

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A Christmas Drop story

Capt. Jody Robertson, 36th Airlift Squadron flight commander, 1st Lt. Chad Moore, 36 AS pilot, and Staff Sgt. Kyle Dibble, 36 AS flight engineer, fly a C-130H Hercules over a Pacific island during Operation Christmas Drop, Dec. 11, 2016. The operation highlights the U.S. and allied airpower capabilities to orient and respond to activities in peacetime and crisis. In addition to delivering critical supplies to those in need, OCD provides specific training to U.S. and allied aircrews, enabling theater-wide airpower. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Elizabeth Baker)

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A Christmas Drop story

Capt. Jody Robertson, 36th Airlift Squadron flight commander, pilots a C-130H Hercules during Operation Christmas Drop over the Pacific islands Dec. 11, 2016. Every December, C-130H Hercules aircrews from Yokota head to Andersen Air Force Base to execute low-cost, low-altitude humanitarian airdrops to islanders throughout the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, Federated States of Micronesia and Republic of Palau. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Elizabeth Baker)

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A Christmas Drop story

1st Lt. Chad Moore, 36th Airlift Squadron pilot, flies a C-130H Hercules over the Pacific islands during Operation Christmas Drop, Dec. 11, 2016. The aircrew dropped bundles of food, supplies and gifts over the Micronesian Islands. Each year OCD provides aid to over 30,000 islanders in Chuuk, Palau, Yap, Marshall Islands and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Elizabeth Baker)

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A Christmas Drop story

Capt. Jody Robertson, 36th Airlift Squadron flight commander, pilots a C-130H Hercules during Operation Christmas Drop over the Pacific islands, Dec. 11, 2016. The operation highlights the U.S. and allied airpower capabilities to orient and respond to activities in peacetime and crisis. In addition to delivering critical supplies to those in need, Operation Christmas Drop provides specific training to U.S. and allied aircrews, enabling theater-wide airpower. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Elizabeth Baker)

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A Christmas Drop story

Tech. Sgt. Jonathan Lange, left, 36th Airlift Squadron C-130H Hercules instructor loadmaster, and Senior Airman Nicholas Oswald, 36 AS C-130H Hercules loadmaster, wait to airdrop bundles of donated goods over the Pacific islands during Operation Christmas Drop 2016, Dec. 11, 2016. Every December, C-130H Hercules aircrews from Yokota head to Andersen Air Force Base to execute low-cost, low-altitude humanitarian airdrops to islanders throughout the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, Federated States of Micronesia and Republic of Palau. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Elizabeth Baker)

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A Christmas Drop story

Tech. Sgt. Jonathan Lange, left, 36th Airlift Squadron C-130H Hercules instructor loadmaster, and Senior Airman Nicholas Oswald, 36 AS C-130H Hercules loadmaster, prepare to push bundles of donated goods over the Pacific islands during Operation Christmas Drop, Dec. 11, 2016. Every December, C-130H Hercules aircrews from Yokota head to Andersen Air Force Base to execute low-cost, low-altitude humanitarian airdrops to islanders throughout the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, Federated States of Micronesia and Republic of Palau. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Elizabeth Baker)

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A Christmas Drop story

Senior Airman Nicholas Oswald, 36th Airlift Squadron C-130H Hercules loadmaster, waits to push bundles of donated goods over the Pacific islands during Operation Christmas Drop, Dec. 11, 2016. The C-130 performed a bundle drops over the Micronesian Islands. Each year OCD provides aid to over 30,000 islanders in Chuuk, Palau, Yap, Marshall Islands and Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Elizabeth Baker)

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A Christmas Drop story

Senior Airman Nicholas Oswald, left, 36th Airlift Squadron C-130H loadmaster, and Tech. Sgt. Jonathan Lange, 36 AS C-130H Hercules instructor loadmaster, deliver bundles of donated goods to the Pacific islands during Operation Christmas Drop, Dec. 11, 2016. The operation highlights the U.S. and allied airpower capabilities to orient and respond to activities in peacetime and crisis. In addition to delivering critical supplies to those in need, Operation Christmas Drop provides specific training to U.S. and allied aircrews, enabling theater-wide airpower. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Elizabeth Baker)

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A Christmas Drop story

Bundles of donated goods reach their drop zone in the Pacific islands during Operation Christmas Drop, Dec. 11, 2016. Every December, C-130H Hercules aircrews from Yokota head to Andersen Air Force Base to execute low-cost, low-altitude humanitarian airdrops to islanders throughout the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, Federated States of Micronesia and Republic of Palau. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Elizabeth Baker)

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A Christmas Drop story

A C-130H Hercules assigned to the 36th Airlift Squadron flies over a Pacific island during Operation Christmas Drop, Dec. 11, 2016. The operation highlights the U.S. and allied airpower capabilities to orient and respond to activities in peacetime and crisis. In addition to delivering critical supplies to those in need, Operation Christmas Drop provides specific training to U.S. and allied aircrews, enabling theater-wide airpower. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Elizabeth Baker)

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A Christmas Drop story

Bruce Best, University of Guam researcher, waits for incoming radio transmissions during Operation Christmas Drop, at the University of Guam, Guam, Dec. 7, 2016. Each year OCD provides aid to over 30,000 islanders in Chuuk, Palau, Yap, Marshall Islands and Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, delivered via C-130H Hercules. Best is the line of communication between the islands and the C-130 aircrews, ensuring that each bundle of goods arrives safely at its drop zone. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Elizabeth Baker)

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A Christmas Drop story

Bruce Best, University of Guam researcher, communicates with a 36th Airlift Squadron C-130H Hercules aircrew during Operation Christmas Drop, at the University of Guam, Guam, Dec. 7, 2016. Every December, C-130H Hercules aircrews from Yokota head to Andersen Air Force Base to execute low-cost, low-altitude humanitarian airdrops to islanders throughout the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, Federated States of Micronesia and Republic of Palau. Best is the line of communication between the islands and the aircrews, ensuring that each LCLA arrives safely at its drop zone. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Elizabeth Baker)

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A Christmas Drop story

Published Dec. 19, 2016
By Senior Airman Eliabeth Baker
374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --