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    Airmen ensure tradition of Operation Christmas Drop continues

    Airmen ensure tradition of Operation Christmas Drop continues

    Photo By Master Sgt. Theanne Tangen | U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Todd Donaldson, 515th Air Mobility Operations Wing...... read more read more

    ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam - Airmen from the 734th Air Mobility Squadron are working to uphold the tradition of Operation Christmas Drop by organizing the delivery of Christmas bundles to the people of 54 Micronesian islands, Dec. 3-13.

    The 734th and the Operation Christmas Drop private organization volunteers gathered donated goods and filled boxes destined to reach the hands of 20,000 people as a part of the Department of Defense's longest-running humanitarian mission.

    "For 65 years, we have remained committed to this phenomenal humanitarian mission, delivering hope and aid to some of the most remote islands in the world," said Col. Scott Zippwald, 515th Air Mobility Operations Wing commander, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.

    As the commander of Air Mobility Command’s most geographically dispersed unit, the 515th Air Mobility Operations Wing provides support to transiting mobility aircraft throughout the Pacific, which includes the 734th Air Mobility Squadron at Andersen Air Force Base. In addition to Guam, the wing oversees squadrons at five other installations as well as nine detachments and operating locations. The wing’s span of control stretches over 100 million square miles and 9 time zones, with 9000 miles of separation between the furthest west and east units. From the wing’s northern tier at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska, to as far south as New Zealand, and west to Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, the 515th Air Mobility Operations Wing is strategically postured to execute AMC’s Rapid Global Mobility mission in the Pacific.

    Members of the 734th have a critical role in planning and coordinating the logistical aspect of Operation Christmas Drop. Without their work on the ground, the aircrew would not have supplies to deliver, said Zippwald.

    Each box is rigged with a parachute and airdropped using a C-130 Hercules by the 374th Airlift Wing, Yokota Air Force Base, Japan, and their mission partners the Royal Australian Air Force and the Japanese Self Defense Force.

    The islanders can expect boxes of fish hooks, rice, clothing, toys and educational materials donated by people from around the world, said Capt. Aaron Bowens, 734th maintenance operations officer, who volunteered to be president of the Operations Christmas Drop private organization.

    The OCD commitee of 372 active volunteers coordinated the fundraising events throughout the past 11 months which included a Golf and Crossfit Tournaments

    "This has been the most successful OCD committee to date," said Bowens. "We collected 45,000 pounds of donated items. With our fundraisers we collected $52,167 which is twice the record amount raised."

    Volunteering as president of the OCD committee is one of the highlights of my career, said Bowens.

    "It touches your heart knowing the work we are doing is going to have a huge impact on the lives of others," said Bowens. "It's cool to be the lead for a 65 year-old tradition because sometimes traditions can get lost as we are always evolving, always changing but we are keeping this tradition going."

    This is also the first year the OCD committee integrated with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard, delivering 20,000 pounds of items by sea.

    "This operation demonstrates the breadth of power and Rapid Global Mobiity that can be accomplished through integration with our mission partners," said Zippwald. "Three services, three Wings, three nations, all coming together to remind these islanders that we are here for them. We can deliver...anywhere, anytime."

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 12.06.2016
    Date Posted: 12.09.2016 18:00
    Story ID: 216780
    Location: GU

    Web Views: 147
    Downloads: 1

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