Operation Christmas Drop

(Capt. Adam Rector, 36th Wing, is chairman for the 56th annual Operation Christmas Drop, currently underway in Micronesia.)

This is my second year running CHRISTMAS DROP and while it's a lot of work, it's definitely worth it. Most of these islands have almost zero contact with the outside world except for this event and so depend on the Drop for the medical supplies they need to treat injuries and the tools needed to construct water collection systems.

We are now on day 4 of the Drop and so far things are going well. Initial problems that developed when we began using plastic containers for the first time in the drop’s history (exploding containers are never a good thing), have now been overcome thanks to the efforts of TSgt Peters and SSgt Visocsky, and we are set to make this a Christmas to remember for those living on remote islands in the island chains of Yap, Palau, Chuuk, Pohnpei and CNMI...
Knowing that you are helping out so many is extremely motivating and seeing the efforts of Andersen AFB and the Guam Community is absolutely inspiring. I mention the Guam Community in this because they are just as much a part of this as Andersen AFB and Yokota AB. Guam is not flush with money and the economic downturn has affected the economy here just like it has in the states. Despite those factors, the Guam Community has donated even more than last year donating well over $35,000 in supplies for the drop and hundreds of hours of volunteer service.

It all started in 1952, when the crew aboard a WB50 on a weather reconnaissance mission spotted islanders from the remote island of Kapingamarangi waving to them. In the Christmas Spirit, they collected items from around the aircraft and placed them into a canister that was then dropped to the islanders below. From this small charitable act, Op CHRISTMAS DROP was started and has grown by leaps and bounds. This year we're set to break records air dropping (Parachutes attached) over 160 boxes weighing 250lbs each to 68 islands and providing food, clothing, tools, fishing supplies, medical supplies and toys to over 35,000 islanders living throughout Micronesia.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!