Had you been walking the shoreline of one of Micronesia’s scenic outer islands during the week of December 8th, you may have noticed a low-flying C130 cargo plane circling the island. Were you lucky enough to have a pair of binoculars, you may have been able to spot the pilot of that Air Force C130 plane, smiling and donning a Santa hat.
Suddenly, from the open-ended back of the plane, large boxes would drop and parachutes pop open, guiding festively decorated crates filled with gifts gently down onto the glimmering blue surface of the island lagoon.
The plane would then tip one wing down toward the island, perhaps to allow the crew to check that the cargo had been successfully sent on its way, or perhaps as a nod of goodbye and “Merry Christmas.”
No doubt, you would see excited islanders waving to the departing plane, then jumping into small boats, heading out to secure the boxes and drag them ashore where villagers of all ages waited in anticipation of what treasures the boxes hold this year.
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Young Latter-day Saint boys package boxes to be delivered to Micronesia Islands as part of the 2024 Operation Christmas Drop.© 2024 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.You have just witnessed a tradition that has been happening every Christmas season since 1952 – Operation Christmas Drop, a humanitarian airlift and holiday tradition which is made possible by the U.S. Air Force. Wikipedia states that it is the longest running humanitarian airlift in the world.
In recent years, donations from members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have made up a large portion of the donations that are gathered throughout the year in preparation for a successful holiday drop. Most of these donations are funneled through the Church humanitarian department, although many individual members of the Church purchased and contributed toys and other supplies independently.
Other individuals, churches and organizations also contribute generously to the operation on an annual basis.
“This is a great opportunity to join with other Christian Churches and charitable organizations in helping those throughout Micronesia who simply need some love and support,” said Brett Child, who directs the Church’s humanitarian efforts in Micronesia.
Specifically, this year the Church’s humanitarian department contributed rice, casting nets, fishhooks, flip-flops and first-aid kits to the Operation Christmas Drop effort.
In addition, individual Latter-day Saints made personal contributions, such as paying for and sponsoring the individual boxes which would be air-dropped. Senior missionaries from the Micronesia Guam Mission donated several bags of new toys to make sure boxes contained plenty of toys for the kids.
On the Saturday before the planes take off, officially for a “training mission,” contributors who have helped fill the boxes gather in a hanger on Andersen Air Force Base to decorate the boxes before shipment. Using paint and markers, well-wishers of all ages paint the sides and tops of the boxes with hand drawn images of Christmas trees, manger scenes, snowmen, C130s being flown by Santa, and other bright, holiday images.
Boxes are finally inspected by young airmen who act as Santa’s elves in making sure these giant Christmas packages are properly packed and prepared to be delivered Santa style through the air to their lucky island recipients.
Altogether, 60 islands received gifts from Operation Christmas Drop in 2024.
The U.S. Air Force is supported by C130 planes from America’s allies South Korea, Japan, Philippines, Australia, and Canada in carrying much appreciated gifts which will bless the lives of islanders during the Christmas season and into the new year.