Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .mil** .mil
 **Secure .mil websites use HTTPS** lock () https://


Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 Toggle navigation
                
                Defense Logistics Agency
                        The Nation's Combat Logistics Support Agency
                    DLA
            Search
                        Search Defense Logistics Agency:
                            Search
                    Search Defense Logistics Agency:
                        Search
    Home

    What DLA Offers
    
        Excess Property Disposal

    Document Services

    Products

    Services

    Programs

    Working With DLA
    
        Applications

    Small Business

    Federal and International Cataloging

    Defense Data Standards

    Events

    Procurement Policies

    Government Programs

    Forms

    Organizations
    
        DLA Headquarters

    DLA Aviation

    DLA Disposition Services

    DLA Distribution

    DLA Energy

    DLA Land and Maritime

    DLA Troop Support

    DLA CENTCOM & SOCOM

    DLA Europe & Africa

    DLA Indo-Pacific

    Customer Support
    
        Self Help Tools

    How to Order

    Find Your Order

    Customer Facing Offices

    Training

    Brochures

    Warfighter Support

    Customer Service Management

    Careers

    About DLA
    
        Contact Us

    Locations

    Leaders

    News

    History

    Media Gallery

    DLA Campaigns  Home
  About DLA
  News
  News Article View
 News
 Reservists Bundle Christmas Joy for Remote Islanders By Air Force Master Sgt. Theanne Herrmann, 624th Regional Support Group
 Air Force reservists from the 44th Aerial Port Squadron here worked alongside the people of Guam on Dec. 9, filling boxes full of critical supplies as part of Operation Christmas Drop. 






Air Force Lt. Col. Melvin Ibaretta, the deputy commander of the Air Force Reserve’s 624th Regional Support Group, works with members of the 44th Aerial Port Squadron by grabbing a bag of rice to include in a Christmas bundle during Operation Christmas Drop at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Dec. 9, 2017. Operation Christmas Drop has been providing critical supplies to 56 Micronesian Islands since 1952. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Theanne Herrmann




U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Melvin Ibaretta, the deputy commander of the Air Force Reserve’s 624th Regional Support Group, works with members of the 44th Aerial Port Squadron by grabbing a bag of rice to include in a Christmas bundle during Operation Christmas Drop Dec. 9, 2017, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. Operation Christmas Drop has been providing critical supplies to 56 Micronesian Islands since 1952. The 44th Aerial Port Squadron supports the 624th Regional Support Group’s mission of providing combat readiness, quality management and peacetime deployments in the Pacific area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Theanne Herrmann)
        Reservists bundle Christmas joy for remote islanders
            Air Force Lt. Col. Melvin Ibaretta, the deputy commander of the Air Force Reserve’s 624th Regional Support Group, works with members of the 44th Aerial Port Squadron by grabbing a bag of rice to include in a Christmas bundle during Operation Christmas Drop at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Dec. 9, 2017. Operation Christmas Drop has been providing critical supplies to 56 Micronesian Islands since 1952. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Theanne Herrmann

            SHARE IMAGE:

                Download Image
                    Image Details
                    
                    Photo By: Master Sgt. Theanne Herrmann
                    
                    VIRIN: 171209-F-CW157-0003 For the first time, Operation Christmas Drop will be using the Air Force C-130J Super Hercules aircraft to airdrop bundles to 56 islands in Micronesia, continuing the longest-running humanitarian airlift operation in Defense Department history and affecting the lives of more than 20,000 islanders. Each year since 1952, islanders in remote locations have seen their annual Christmas bundles full of rice, fish hooks, educational materials, clothing, toys and other items dropped from military aircraft the same way troops receive supplies during combat operations. “This is my first Operation Christmas Drop, and it’s been a blast,” said Air Force Staff Sgt. Kaija Garrido, an air transportation specialist from Sinajana, Guam. “I love being able to see everyone from the community, active duty andAir Force Reserve come out as one to take part in this operation. I love that we are helping people from the outer islands who can use all of these supplies.” **Personalized Messages** In addition to packing supplies, volunteers decorated the outside of the boxes by writing personalized holiday messages. “The supplies inside each box are very important, but I thought it was special seeing everyone putting ‘love’ into their personal handwritten messages,” said Air Force Lt. Col. Melvin Ibaretta, 624th Regional Support Group deputy commander. After the hustle and bustle of filling the bundles ended and the volunteers headed home, members of the 44th APS and their active-duty counterparts at the 734th Air Mobility Squadron worked together to load the cargo onto aircraft. 






Air Force reservists Staff Sgt. Kaija Garrido of Sinajana, Guam, and Senior Airman Aleron Guerrero of Mangilao, Guam, both air transportation specialists from the 44th Aerial Port Squadron, help to fill boxes full of critical supplies during Operation Christmas Drop at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Dec. 9, 2017. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Daena Mansapit




Reserve Citizen Airmen Staff Sgt. Kaija Garrido, of Sinajana, Guam, and Senior Airman Aleron Guerrero, of Mangilao, Guam, air transportation specialists from the 44th Aerial Port Squadron help fill boxes full of critical supplies during Operation Christmas Drop Dec. 9, 2017, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. Operation Christmas Drop has been providing critical supplies to 56 Micronesian Islands since 1952. The 44th Aerial Port Squadron supports the 624th Regional Support Group’s mission of providing mission essential combat readiness, quality management and peacetime deployments in the Pacific area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Daena Mansapit)
        Reservists bundle Christmas joy for remote islanders
            Air Force reservists Staff Sgt. Kaija Garrido of Sinajana, Guam, and Senior Airman Aleron Guerrero of Mangilao, Guam, both air transportation specialists from the 44th Aerial Port Squadron, help to fill boxes full of critical supplies during Operation Christmas Drop at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Dec. 9, 2017. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Daena Mansapit

            SHARE IMAGE:

                Download Image
                    Image Details
                    
                    Photo By: Master Sgt. Theanne Herrmann
                    
                    VIRIN: 171209-F-ZZ999-0010 “We assist the rigger team by tying the rigs onto the boxes and doing the weight measurements,” said Air Force Tech. Sgt. Josephine Superales-Garridao of Mangilao, Guam. “It’s important to know how much the boxes weigh to prevent any mission mishaps [during the drop].” Operation Christmas Drop not only provides critical supplies, but also gives air transportation specialists the opportunity to learn new skills. “I have experience in passenger services, so this gives me an opportunity to cross-train,” Superales-Garridao said. “I’m doing a lot of hands-on training on the cargo and air freight sides of the house, helping me become well-rounded in my career field.” While the reservists are fine-tuning their air transportation skills, they also are building relationships with their active-duty counterparts during the operation.   *Editor's note: The original story can be viewed on the Department of Defense website.*
 SHARE
 PRINT
  Operation Christmas Drop Guam Air Force Reserve Andersen Air Force Base rigging air transportation
 Contact UsSite IndexStrategic PlanDLA IG HotlineFOIANo FEAR ActWhistleblower ProtectionDLA CareersImagesWebmasterEEOSection 508Public AffairsSAPRExternal Links DisclaimerDOD Information Quality GuidelinesPrivacy/SecurityUSA.govDOD Web PolicyDOD Open GovernmentPlain Language
                    Stay Connected
            
            

Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil