By Gerardo R. Partido
Variety News Staff

MORE than 150 volunteers helped in the recently held Christmas drop organized by the U.S. Air Force.
According to 2nd Lt. J.D. Griffin of the 36th Wing Public Affairs Office at Andersen Air Force Base, the 54th Annual Operation Christmas Drop that reached more than 50 remote Pacific islands again drew a lot of volunteers from the Guam community.
The operation, described as the world’s longest running humanitarian airdrop, was kicked off by Gen. Douglas H. Owens, 36th Wing commander, with a ceremony that included words of thanks and encouragement from a native of Eauripik, an Outer Yap island, who is now a petty officer in the Navy.
Griffin said Operation Christmas Drop was truly a team effort, bringing together volunteers from the 734th Air Mobility Squadron at Andersen, crews and aircraft from the 36th Airlift Squadron at Yokota Air Base, Japan, and spirited members of the Guam community.
Since 1952, the Christmas drop operations have delivered more than 800,000 pounds of supplies, according to organizational data.
This year, Griffin said the operation delivered 140 boxes to 59 islands. Boxes included new or serviceable clothes, fishing and snorkeling equipment, non-battery operated toys and non-perishable foods, among other items.
In addition, more than $27,000 was raised through the Marianas Classic 5K Run/Walk, a golf tournament, and box sponsorships at local businesses and units on base. More than 150 volunteers helped pack the boxes that were dropped on Dec. 16-19 from three C-130 Hercules aircraft.
Operation Christmas Drop is the longest running organized air drop in the world and one of the largest charity efforts in the Pacific.
Over 75,000 pounds of goods were dropped during the operation’s 50th anniversary drop in 2002.
The operation started in December of 1952 when locals on the island of Kapingamarangi waved to the crew of a WB-50 flying overhead. In the spirit of the holiday season, the crew gathered what they could, packed it into a canister, attached a parachute and dropped the goods to the islanders.
Today, the men and women of the U.S. Air Force, the University of Guam, media, local government, businesses, individuals and professional and charitable organizations work together to collect cash and merchandise to deliver toys, clothing, fishing equipment, sporting goods, food items and tools to the remote islands and atolls in the area.