News United States Air Force
 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)
            
            
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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)
            
            
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    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)
            
            
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    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)
            
            
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“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)
            
            
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“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 



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