The 71st US Airforce Operation Christmas Drop, a “longest-running humanitarian assistance,” commencing on December 4, will be joined by five US allies to bring humanitarian assistance to 56 remote islands throughout the Federated States of Micronesia and Palau.
This humanitarian operation brings together PACAF’s 374th Airlift Wing from Yokota Air Base in Japan, the 36th Wing from Andersen AFB in Guam, the 15th Wing from Joint Base Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Airmen from Japan Air Self-Defense Force, Royal Australian Air Force, Royal New Zealand Air Force, Republic of Korea Airforce and Indian Air Force.
The effort allows US Air forces to “work with partner countries to plan and execute low-cost, low altitude air-drops, improving critical interoperability and communication for future real-world humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions,” reported US Pacific Airforce Public Affairs press release.
The annual event, named Operation Christmas Drop, delivers to 56 remote islands throughout the Federated States of Micronesia and Palau, an ocean area nearly the size of the continental United States, packaged food, supplies, fishing equipment, schoolbooks and clothing.
“Operation Christmas Drop continues to be an annual collaboration delivering valuable humanitarian assistance to those in need. We are excited to team with our allies and partners throughout the region as we launch the 71st year of Operation Christmas Drop and execute OCD 2022,” said Col. Andrew Roddan, 374th Airlift Wing commander in the press release.
“OCD 2022 represents a significant opportunity to integrate airlift teams as we work closely with international partners,” Roddan said. “This operation helps to hone critical skills necessary for successful response to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and we look forward to continuing our successful joint efforts in support of humanitarian aid delivery.”
For more information and news on Operation Christmas Drop, visit ttp://www.andersen.af.mil/ocd/ and https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/OperationChristmasDrop.