Maj. John Chrampanis, 36th Airlift Squadron C-130 Hercules aircraft commander, discuses flight plans with Capt. Michael Kelly, a 36th AS C-130 pilot, during an Operation Christmas Drop mission over the Pacific Ocean. Both pilots are stationed at Yokota Air Base, Japan, and teamed up with Airmen from the 36th Wing on Andersen to support Operation Christmas Drop. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Marianique Santos)

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Maj. John Chrampanis, 36th Airlift Squadron C-130 Hercules aircraft commander from Yokota Air Base, Japan, welcomes and briefs distinguished guests on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, before an Operation Christmas Drop mission Dec. 11, 2013. This year marks the 62nd year of Operation Christmas Drop, which began in 1952, making it the world's longest running airdrop mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Marianique Santos)

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Members of a C-130 Hercules aircrew from Yokota Air Base, Japan, meet at the back of the aircraft to discuss flight plans before an Operation Christmas Drop flight Dec. 11, 2013, on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. This year marks the 62nd year of Operation Christmas Drop, which began in 1952, making it the world's longest running airdrop mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Marianique Santos)

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Maj. John Chrampanis, 36th Airlift Squadron C-130 Hercules aircraft commander from Yokota Air Base, Japan, explains the course of the flight to his crew on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, before an Operation Christmas Drop flight Dec. 11, 2013. Every December, C-130 Hercules aircrews from the 374th Airlift Wing at Yokota AB partner with the 36th Wing at Andersen AFB to airlift food, supplies and toys to islanders throughout Micronesia. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Marianique Santos)

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Airman 1st Class Nicholas Brown, 36th Airlift Squadron loadmaster from Yokota Air Base, Japan, makes his way to the back of a C-130 Hercules to shut the rapid doors on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, before an Operation Christmas Drop mission Dec. 11, 2013. This year marks the 62nd year of Operation Christmas Drop, which began in 1952, making it the world's longest running airdrop mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Marianique Santos)

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C-130 Hercules aircrew members of the 36th Airlift Squadron from Yakota Air Base, Japan, prepare for takeoff on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, before an Operation Christmas Drop mission Dec. 11, 2013. Every December, C-130 Hercules aircrews from the 374th Airlift Wing at Yokota AB partner with the 36th Wing at Andersen AFB to airlift food, supplies and toys to islanders throughout Micronesia. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Marianique Santos)

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Capt. Michael Kelly, 36th Airlift Squadron C-130 Hercules pilot from Yokota Air Base, Japan, looks out the window from the flight deck of the aircraft while flying over the Pacific Ocean during an Operation Christmas Drop mission Dec. 11, 2013. This year marks the 62nd year of Operation Christmas Drop, which began in 1952, making it the world's longest running airdrop mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Marianique Santos)

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Chief Master Sgt. Reynold Albright, 36th Airlift Squadron loadmaster and chief enlisted manager from Yokota Air Base, Japan, holds on to packages during an Operation Christmas Drop mission over the Pacific Ocean Dec. 11, 2013. Every December, C-130 Hercules aircrews from the 374th Airlift Wing at Yokota AB partner with the 36th Wing at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, to airlift food, supplies and toys to islanders throughout Micronesia. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Marianique Santos)

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Airmen from 36th Wing push the final package off the ramp of a C-130 Hercules Dec. 11, 2013, during an Operation Christmas Drop mission over the Pacific Ocean. Every December, C-130 Hercules aircrews from the 374th Airlift Wing at Yokota Air Base, Japan, partner with the 36th Wing at Andersen AFB to airlift food, supplies and toys to islanders throughout Micronesia. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Marianique Santos)

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A loadmaster from the 36th Airlift Squadron from Yokota Air Base, Japan, watches as a package makes its way to the shore Kayangel Island during an Operation Christmas Drop mission over the Pacific Ocean Dec. 11, 2013. The Island of Kayangel also experienced the devastating effects of Typhoon Haiyan that ravaged the Philippines and other island in the area. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Marianique Santos)

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Packages make their way to the shore of Kayangel Island during an Operation Christmas Drop mission over the Pacific Ocean Dec. 11, 2013. The Island of Kayangel also experienced the devastating effects of Typhoon Haiyan that ravaged the Philippines and other island in the area. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Marianique Santos)

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Airmen watch as the package lands successfully close to the shores of a Micronesian Island during an Operation Christmas Drop mission over the Pacific Ocean Dec. 11, 2013. Every December, C-130 Hercules aircrews from the 374th Airlift Wing at Yokota Air Base, Japan, partner with the 36th Wing at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, to airlift food, supplies and toys to islanders throughout Micronesia. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Marianique Santos)

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Loadmasters from the 36th Airlift Squadron from Yokota Air Base Japan push a package off the ramp of a C-130 Hercules during an Operation Christmas Drop mission over the islands of Micronesia Dec. 11, 2013. This year marks the 62nd year of Operation Christmas Drop, which began in 1952, making it the world's longest running airdrop mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Marianique Santos)

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Loadmasters from the 36th Airlift Squadron from Yokota Air Base, Japan, and Airmen from the 36th Wing sit on the ramp of a C-130 Hercules during an Operation Christmas Drop mission over the Pacific Ocean Dec. 11, 2013. Every December, C-130 Hercules aircrews from the 374th Airlift Wing at Yokota AB partner with the 36th Wing at Andersen AFB to airlift food, supplies and toys to islanders throughout Micronesia. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Marianique Santos)

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Distinguished visitors and members of the 36th Airlift Squadron, Yokota Air Base, Japan, watch an airdrop bundle land on an isolated island in the Pacific Ocean Dec. 11, 2013, during an Operation Christmas Drop mission. Every December, C-130 Hercules aircrews from the 374th Airlift Wing at Yokota AB partner with the 36th Wing at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, to airlift food, supplies and toys to islanders throughout Micronesia. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Emily A. Bradley)

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62nd Christmas Drop provides cheer, aid to Pacific Islands

Published Dec. 11, 2013
36th Wing Public Affairs

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- Two C-130 Hercules aircraft took off from the flightline here Dec. 11 and dropped packaged goods to islands in the Pacific as part of this year's Operation Christmas Drop.

Every December, C-130 Hercules aircrews from the 374th Airlift Wing at Yokota Air Base, Japan, partner with the 36th Wing here to airlift food, supplies and toys to islanders throughout Micronesia.

This year marks the 62nd year of the operation, making it the longest running airdrop mission in the world.