Operation Christmas Drop facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Operation Christmas Drop |
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Supplies are dropped over Kayangel in Palau, 2013
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| Location | Micronesia |
| Objective | Distribute Christmas gifts in Micronesia, train American service men and women, provide a trilateral training opportunity for Pacific allies |
| Date | 1952–present |
Operation Christmas Drop is a special tradition that began in 1952. It's a training mission for the U.S. Air Force. This mission has become the longest-running one for the U.S. Department of Defense. It is also the longest-running humanitarian airlift in the world. Local communities in Guam help support it. The operation mainly takes place from Andersen Air Force Base and Yokota Air Base. Its goal is to deliver aid to islands in Micronesia.
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What is Operation Christmas Drop?
This mission is the oldest ongoing operation by the Department of Defense. It is also the longest-running humanitarian airlift worldwide. By 2006, over 800,000 pounds (362,874 kg) of supplies had been delivered. This operation helps military troops practice humanitarian aid drops. They might need these skills during future missions.
Many people help with Operation Christmas Drop. Volunteers from Andersen Air Force Base join in. This includes the 734th Air Mobility Squadron. Also, crews and aircraft from the 36th Airlift Squadron at Yokota Air Base, Japan, take part. People from the Guam community also lend a hand. Money for the operation is raised through fun activities. These include golf tournaments and sponsored runs. Local businesses also help by sponsoring individual boxes.
Each box is dropped from a C-130 aircraft. Each box weighs almost 400 pounds (181 kg). They are filled with many useful items. These include fishing nets and building materials. They also contain powdered milk, canned goods, and rice. Coolers, clothing, shoes, toys, and school supplies are also included. The containers are dropped into the water near the beaches. This is done to make sure they do not hit anyone on the islands.
History of the Christmas Drop
The first Christmas Drop happened in 1951. An aircrew from a WB-29 aircraft was flying south of Guam. They were over the Micronesian atoll of Kapingamarangi. The crew saw islanders waving to them. They quickly gathered items they had on the plane. They put them in a container with a parachute. Then, they dropped the cargo as they flew around again.
Someone who saw the first drop on Agrigan island said it was amazing. They saw things coming out of the plane. They yelled, "There are toys coming down!" At that time, the island had no electricity or running water. Typhoons also hit the islands often. Some of the first containers did not land where they were supposed to. Islanders swam out to get some of them. Others were found months later, miles away.
In 2006, 140 boxes were dropped to 59 islands. The 2011 operation included a special delivery. Twenty-five boxes of IV fluid were dropped to Fais Island. This helped fight a local outbreak of dengue fever.
In 2014, the Pacific Air Forces delivered 50,000 pounds (22,680 kg) of supplies. These went to 56 Micronesian Islands.
In 2015, other countries joined the operation. The Japan Air Self-Defense Force and the Royal Australian Air Force took part. They joined the United States Air Force. Japan and Australia each sent one C-130 Hercules aircraft. These joined the three C-130s from the United States. Japan and Australia also participated in the 2016 and 2017 operations.
December 2017 was a special year. It was the first training event for the new C-130J from Yokota AB. It was also the first time four countries worked together. The JASDF, RAAF, and Philippine Air Force joined the U.S. Air Force.
In 2020, the president of Micronesia, David Panuelo, decided not to join the 69th Operation Christmas Drop. This was because of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the drop continued as planned over the Republic of Palau. The U.S. Air Force took many steps to prevent the spread of illness from the deliveries.
Operation Christmas Drop in Movies
Operation Christmas Drop is shown in a Netflix film. The movie has the same name as the operation. It was released on November 5, 2020. The film stars Kat Graham and Alexander Ludwig.
See also
- Federated States of Micronesia–United States relations
- International Ice Patrol
- NORAD Tracks Santa
