Operation Nikolaus: Training Wing brings holiday cheer to local children

Photo By 1st Lt. Richard Longoria | Santa, Lt. Olaf Kleinhans, praises a child and points out aspects for improvement in the coming year, a German Christmas tradition, at the NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germany, Dec. 18, 2014. Fifteen children from children the Caritas Heimverbund Kreis Heinsberg visited the base as part of Operation Nikolaus, or OPN, a tradition which started in the 1980s to bring a little bit of fun and holiday cheer to children from orphanages and child care facilities near the base.  

GEILENKIRCHEN, NW, GERMANY

12.18.2014

Story by Staff Sgt. Richard Longoria 

NATO E-3A Component

GEILENKIRCHEN, Germany - Children from the local community around NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germany, spent the day with E-3A Component’s Training Wing Dec. 18. 2014. The visit was part of Operation Nikolaus, or OPN, a tradition which started in the 1980s to bring a little bit of fun and holiday cheer to children from orphanages and child care facilities near the base.

“It has been a busy year for the E-3A Component,” explained Capt. Dirk Müller. “We accomplished a lot of missions and operations, but Operation Nikolaus is one that is extra special.”

This year, 15 children from the Caritas Heimverbund Kreis Heinsberg arrived at the base this morning and received a warm welcome from Lt. Col. Federico Merola and other members of the Training Wing.

Full of laughter and excitement for the day, the children, ranging in age from 6 to 14, hopped on the "NATO Express" train for a tour of the base, which ended at the flight simulator. After a short introduction and demonstration, each child was allowed to perform AWACS takeoffs, landings and aerial refueling in the high-tech simulator.

“They weren’t always successful, but they had a lot of fun,” said Müller.

After a stop at the Air National Guard to see a KC-135 up-close and a visit with the Fire Brigade, the children headed to the Rotodome for lunch. Then, it was off for the next part of their visit - a trip to the air traffic control tower and the flightline.

“Since everyone had received flight deck instruction in the simulator, a tour of a real AWACS aircraft was essential,” said Müller. “They had an hourlong opportunity to explore the plane. They checked out the seats, flight deck, crew bunks, oxygen masks and everything in between. They did so with great enthusiasm and, the entire time, the smiles on their faces grew bigger and bigger.”

Next, the children got to witness a demonstration by the Civil Guard and their specially trained working dogs. However, the highlight of the day was yet to come. Back at the Training Wing, the children attended a Christmas party with festive decorations and refreshments.

After a while, Santa, Lt. Olaf Kleinhans, entered the room and, thanks to good coordination with the caregivers, he was able to follow the German tradition of praising each child individually but also by pointing out aspects for improvement in the coming year. Santa also handed out presents, which were selected from each child’s own wish list.

Before the group left, Col. Arturo Di Martino, the Operations and Training Wing commander, presented a check to Caritas Heimverbund Kreis Heinsberg, for 1,300 euros. The director of the orphanage said the money would go toward improving the children’s computer lab.

“The Training Wing felt blessed to have the opportunity to meet these wonderful children and enjoy the day with them,” said Lt. Col. Thorsten Hinrichsen. “We’d also like to express our thanks to everyone who donated, contributed or helped set up to make a dream come true for these children. We look forward to hosting ‘Operation Nikolaus’ again next year.”

• Date Taken: 12.18.2014
• Date Posted: 12.18.2014 12:08
• Story ID: 150630
• Location: GEILENKIRCHEN, NW, DE