Yokota Air Base, Japan, Dec. 11, 2012: The Operation Christmas Drop 2012 patch worn by C-130 aircrew members from the 36th Airlift Squadron from Yokota Air Base, Japan. In its 61st year in 2012, the mission is the Defense Department’s longest-running humanitarian mission.

Check out Stars and Stripes’ coverage of Operation Christmas Drop over the years here:

https://www.stripes.com/migration/troops-in-pacific-play-santa-in-world-s-longest-running-humanitarian-mission-1.200951

https://www.stripes.com/migration/airmen-play-santa-in-annual-christmas-drop-for-pacific-islanders-1.42205

https://www.stripes.com/migration/airmen-prepare-for-annual-christmas-gift-drop-to-pacific-islanders-1.41574

https://www.stripes.com/migration/air-force-to-drop-tons-of-gifts-on-pacific-islands-1.86160

https://www.stripes.com/migration/santa-comes-by-plane-for-operation-christmas-drop-1.72459

https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/yokota-guam-airmen-play-santa-to-islanders-for-annual-christmas-drop-1.128806

https://www.stripes.com/history/2015-12-13/air-force-presents-an-early-christmas-to-pacific-island-villages-1817956.html1

https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/air-force-airdrops-bring-early-christmas-to-micronesia-1.383137

https://www.stripes.com/migration/air-force-gears-up-for-operation-christmas-drop-with-help-from-japan-australia-1.501475

https://www.stripes.com/migration/yokota-s-new-super-hercules-cargo-planes-take-over-christmas-drop-mission-1.503340

https://www.stripes.com/migration/airmen-santas-swap-sleighs-for-c-130s-to-deliver-gifts-to-some-of-the-world-s-most-remote-islands-1.560295

https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2020-12-03/Palau-islanders-to-receive-extra-Christmas-Drop-aid-after-Micronesia-opts-out-over-pandemic-1515739.html

https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2021-12-09/operation-christmas-drop-yokota-col-andrew-campbell-3917351.html

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• Troops in Pacific play Santa in world’s longest-running humanitarian mission