Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 News
    
        Photos

    Week in Photos

    Air Force TV

    Commentaries

    Features

    Art

    About Us
    
        Air Force Senior Leaders
    
        SECAF

    CSAF

    CMSAF

    Biographies

    Fact Sheets

    SECAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library
    
        CSAF Leadership Library 2022

    CSAF Leadership Library 2021

    CSAF Reading List Pre-2020 Archive
    
        2018 CSAF Reading List

    2017 CSAF Reading List

    2016 CSAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library 2023

    CMSAF Leadership Library

    50 Years of the CMSAF

    Adjunct Professors

    Air Force Strategic Documents

    Arctic Strategy

    Empowered Airmen

    State Licensure Portability

    Careers

    AF Federal Advisory Committees

    AF 75th Anniversary

    Policy Updates

    AF Content Management

    Contact Us

    AF Sites
    
        Site RegistrationU.S. Air Force LogoAir Force

        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Cameron Palmer, 36th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron C-130J loadmaster, conducts a visual confirmation over Asor atoll in the Caroline Islands of the western Pacific OceanU.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Cameron Palmer, 36th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron C-130J loadmaster, conducts a visual confirmation over Asor atoll in the Caroline Islands of the western Pacific Ocean, Dec. 4, 2022, during Operation Christmas Drop 2022. The aircraft, call sign Santa 11, delivered 14 bundles to the eastern Caroline Islands, included Asor, Falalop, and Fais islands. OCD is the longest-running Department of Defense humanitarian and disaster relief mission. Each year, the USAF partners with countries in the Pacific Air Forces area of responsibility to deliver supplies to remote islands in the South-Eastern Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Yasuo Osakabe)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res
        


        Four humanitarian aid bundles descend from a U.S. Air Force C-130J Super HerculesFour humanitarian aid bundles descend from a U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 36th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron over Fananu atoll in the state of Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia, Dec. 9, 2022, during Operation Christmas Drop 2022. The aircraft, call sign Santa 67, was the last mission flight of OCD 2022. (U.S. Air Force photo by Yasuo Osakabe)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res

Partner nation air forces deliver humanitarian aid during Operation Christmas Drop 2022Published Dec. 14, 2022
                    
                    By 1st Lt. Danny Rangel
                    
                    
                    374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
            **ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam (AFNS) --**Five partner nation air forces worked together to deliver humanitarian aid as part of Operation Christmas Drop 2022, the Department of Defense’s longest-running **humanitarian aid mission** delivering essential supplies to island communities in the western Pacific, Dec. 4-13.A man decorates a bundle box with colorful markersJapan Air Self-Defense Force Capt. Shigenobu Matsufuji, 401st Tactical Airlift Squadron C-130H Hercules pilot, 401st Tactical Airlift Squadron C-130H pilot, decorates a bundle box during Operation Christmas Drop 2022 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Dec. 3, 2022. OCD is the Defense Department’s longest running humanitarian aid and disaster relief mission and provides aid to more than 50 islands throughout the Pacific. Operations such as OCD provide the U.S. and its partners the opportunity to enhance joint operational capabilities and maintain preparedness for real-world emergencies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Yasuo Osakabe)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res

    











Aircrew from the U.S. Air Force, Republic of Korea Air Force, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, Royal Australian Air Force and Royal New Zealand Air Force participated in the 71st Operation Christmas Drop this year, delivering 209 bundles of supplies weighing a total of more than 75,000 pounds to 57 locations in the Federated States of Micronesia and Republic of Palau. 
“It is a phenomenal thing that we have been able to continue this tradition for 71 years,” said Lt. Col. Kira Coffey, **36th Airlift Squadron** commander. “The 36th AS has been central to this effort and getting to see this event and seeing the tangible effect it has to the people on the islands is important and fulfilling.” 
 
Eight partner nation **C-130 Hercules** traveled to **Andersen Air Force Base** to participate in the humanitarian mission. Crews took part in joint operations planning and preparation needed to ensure the successful delivery of each bundle. Six C-130 tails(Right to left) A Japan Air Self-Defense Force C-130H Hercules assigned to the 401st Tactical Airlift Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 37 Squadron, Republic of Korea Air Force C-130H Hercules assigned to the 251st Tactical Air Support Squadron, Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130H Hercules assigned to the 40 squadron, and U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 36th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron sit on the flightline at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Dec. 10, 2022, during Operation Christmas Drop 2022. JASDF, RAAF, ROKAF, RNZAF, and USAF C-130J crewmembers delivered 209 bundles with humanitarian aid totaling more than 71,000 pounds of cargo to 22,000 remote Micronesian islanders. (U.S. Air Force photo by Yasuo Osakabe)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res
    
    Santa communicates by radio with C-130 pilots on a runwayU.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Jeffrey Furnary, 36th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron director of operations, communicates by radio with C-130 pilots at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Dec. 10, 2022, during Operation Christmas Drop 2022. Seven C-130 aircraft from the U.S. Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, Republic of Korea Air Force and Royal New Zealand Air Force delivered 209 bundles weighing a total of more than 71,000 pounds as part of Operation Christmas Drop, an event meant to assist remote island communities in the Federated States of Micronesia and Republic of Palau. (U.S. Air Force photo by Yasuo Osakabe)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res
    
    Pilots fly a C-130U.S. Air Force Capt. Maddie Atkinson and Capt. Eichard Armfield, 36th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron C-130J pilots, fly over Saipan, Dec. 1, 2022, during Operation Christmas Drop 2022. Yokota AB’s C-130J crew members practice skills that enable effective dynamic delivery in support of future operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Yasuo Osakabe)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res
 

“It was truly exciting to come together as an international team of Airmen for such a good cause,” said Capt. Andrew Zaldivar, 36th AS pilot and OCD mission commander. “Being able to be part of this mission is truly humbling, and I’m happy our team was able to work together with our partner nation aircrews to deliver aid to people living on these isolated islands.” 
 
Items contained in each bundle included clothing, food, medical and school supplies, fishing equipment and other essential goods. Prior to the first airdrop, the base hosted a bundle build event where OCD participants joined local community volunteers to organize donations and decorate each box for delivery. 
 
International participants in the OCD expressed their enthusiasm for the mission and support for the importance of delivering humanitarian aid. 
 
“I’ve enjoyed meeting with other nations and sharing the common experience of delivering aid here in the Pacific,” said Royal New Zealand Air Force Flight Lieutenant Campbell Wilson, 40 Squadron detachment commander. “This aid is delivered with goodwill and with pride and love from all the agencies involved. We’ve really enjoyed being part of it, and we’re honored to take part.” 
 
Additionally, Operation Christmas Drop allowed U.S. and partner nation aircrew the opportunity to hone skills needed for future operations. Airmen delivered bundles using a low-cost, low-altitude delivery method, a way of effectively airlifting supplies to austere locations using fewer resources. 
 
This year’s event culminated in a multinational seven-ship elephant walk down the Andersen AFB flightline, an event that included a C-130 aircraft from each participating country.Seven C-130s conduct an elephant walk on a runwayA Japan Air Self-Defense Force C-130H Hercules assigned to the 401st Tactical Airlift Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 37 Squadron, Republic of Korea Air Force C-130H Hercules assigned to the 251st Tactical Air Support Squadron, Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130H Hercules assigned to the 40 squadron, and U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 36th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron conduct multinational elephant walk at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Dec. 10, 2022, during Operation Christmas Drop 2022. JASDF, RAAF, ROKAF, RNZAF, and USAF C-130J crewmembers delivered 209 bundles with humanitarian aid totaling more than 71,000 pounds of cargo to 22,000 remote Micronesian islanders. (U.S. Air Force photo by Yasuo Osakabe)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res

    










“It was exciting to see our partner nation C-130s come out and showcase the team effort that is so critical to the success of Operation Christmas Drop,” Coffey said. “We demonstrated how we can seamlessly work together as a team and integrate operations in support of delivering vital supplies to isolated communities. I’m proud of our international team of Airmen who have worked so hard to ensure this mission is successful.”LR 



USAF 



AF 



Air Force 



OCD 



Operation Christmas Drop 



Humanitarian 



Andersen AFB 



Guam 



PACAF 



JASDF 



RAAF 



RNZAF 



ROKAF 



supplies 



bundles 



Federated States of Micronesia 



Republic of Palau 



36th AS 



C-130 



Hercules 



elephant walk 



One Team One Fight 



airdrop 



goodwill 



Pride 



aid 



joint 



Santa 11 



Santa 67

Related Links
        Exchange officer builds trust with partner nation aircrew during Operation Christmas Drop Featured News
        Senior Leader Priorities
                DAF leaders talk budget, reoptimizing the force
                    
                    DAF leaders speak at National Character and Leadership Symposium
                    
                    DAF members recognized during BEYA STEM awards
                    
                    DAF senior enlisted advisors discuss Airmen, Guardians in the fight
                    
                    SecAF Kendall AFA Warfare Symposium Q&A: Reoptimizing for Great Power CompetitionInnovation
                AFWERX director discusses role of tech startups, quick innovation in Great Power Competition
                    
                    DAF delivers lethality at the speed of data during Project Convergence Capstone 4
                    
                    DAF welcomes industry partners to HQ development program
                    
                    DAF announces Spark Tank 2024 finalists
                    
                    Chief Digital, Artificial Intelligence Office to host hackathon in HawaiiMAJCOM News
                Safety enterprise announces new mission, vision, goals in 2024 strategic plan
                    
                    Air Combat Command welcomes new commander
                    
                    USAFE-AFAFRICA commander discusses Integrated Air, Missile Defense during Munich Security Conference
                    
                    Flosi to AFMC family: Embrace change, make every day count
                    
                    AMC rises to increasing global tension
 Quick Links
AccessibilityContact UsEqual OpportunityFOIA | Privacy | Section 508Information QualityInspector GeneralJAG Court-Martial DocketLink DisclaimerNo FEAR ActOpen GovernmentOSI Tip LinePlain LanguageQuestionsResilienceRSSSite MapVeterans Crisis LineCareers
Join the Air ForceAir Force BenefitsAir Force CareersAir Force ReserveAir National GuardCivilian ServiceConnect
            Get Social with Us
            
            Official United States Air Force Website
    Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil