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U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to 2nd Battalion, 2nd Aviation Regiment, 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 2d Infantry Division/ROK-U.S. Combined Division, alongside 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, conduct fast-rope air assault isolated personnel extraction training, Dec. 18, 2025.
251218-A-VH016-1626 Jan 14 2026
A LC-130 Skibird takes off in Antarctica. The New York National Guard's 109th Airlift Wing flies the LC-130 in support of Operation Deep Freeze.
251223-Z-F3860-1002 Jan 07 2026
Three U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning IIs assigned to the 356th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, deployed to Kadena Air Base, fly in formation before aerial refueling over the Pacific Ocean, Dec. 11, 2025
251211-F-BX586-1252 Jan 06 2026
A U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon assigned to the 119th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, deployed to Kadena Air Base, flies over the Pacific Ocean, Japan, Dec. 18, 2025.
251218-F-KO634-1069 Jan 06 2026
U.S. Marines with Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, refuel an F/A-18C Hornet aircraft with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 232, MAG-12, 1st MAW, at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 30, 2025.
251230-M-JN598-1297 Jan 05 2026
U.S. Navy Sailors assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit One (EODMU1), fast rope from an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter, attached to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 14, during a drill on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) on Dec. 30, 2025.
251230-N-NH911-1186 Jan 02 2026
An F-35C Lightning II, attached to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, prepares to launch from the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) on Dec. 26, 2025.
251226-N-PT073-1008 Dec 30 2025
A U.S. Marine with 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, forward deployed with 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division as part of the Unit Deployment Program, sets up security during a casualty evacuation drill during Fuji Viper 26.2 at the Combined Arms Training Center, Camp Fuji, Japan, Dec. 12, 2025.
251212-M-NC826-1545 Dec 29 2025
Soldiers assigned to Charlie Company, 2-23 Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, conduct a Combined Arms Live-Fire Exercise, honing their combat skills through realistic training scenarios.
251218-A-IJ924-4215 Dec 23 2025
Charlie Battery 1-38 Field Artillery Regiment fires the first rocket from the new M270A2 Multi Launch Rocket System, becoming the first unit to utilize the new equipment in a live fire setting on the Korean Peninsula at Rocket Valley, South Korea, Dec. 11, 2025.
251211-A-ZF147-1008 Dec 22 2025
U.S. Navy Sailors direct an F/A-18F Super Hornet, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41, on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in the Philippine Sea, Dec. 19, 2025. The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is underway conducting routine operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. Units assigned to U.S. 7th Fleet conduct regular Indo-Pacific patrols to deter aggression, strengthen alliances and partnerships, and advance peace through strength. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Nathaly Cruz)
251219-N-IJ966-1096 Dec 22 2025
An F/A-18F Super Hornet, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41, prepares to make an arrested landing on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) on Dec. 16, 2025.
251216-N-NH911-1136 Dec 19 2025
A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 163 (Reinforced), 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, conducts flight operations aboard Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4), Dec. 12, 2025.
251212-N-UC201-1019 Dec 18 2025
U.S. Army Soldiers with 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment advance to a covered position during a company live-fire iteration at Rodriguez Live Fire Complex, Republic of Korea, Dec. 13, 2024.
251215-A-GF403-4053 Dec 16 2025
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Carl M. Levin (DDG 120) conducts a pass-in-review during the 84th National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day ceremony at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial Dec. 7, 2025.
251207-N-KN989-1065 Dec 16 2025
Sgt. 1st Class Ryan Reis of the U.S. Army Parachute Team lands for a demonstration parachute jump on 13 December 2025 for the Army Navy game.
251213-D-GH686-3793 Dec 15 2025
A U.S. Marine with the Maritime Raid Force, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, fast-ropes from a U.S. Navy MH-60S Seahawk with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21 during helicopter rope suspension techniques training on the flight deck of Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) in the Pacific Ocean, Dec. 12, 2025.
251212-M-YF186-1216 Dec 15 2025
A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 242 , 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepares to land aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault carrier USS Tripoli (LHA 7), flagship of the Tripoli Expeditionary Strike Group, Dec. 7, 2025, while conducting routine operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet Area of Operations
251207-M-EC903-2377 Dec 12 2025
Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) transits while underway in the Philippine Sea, Dec. 10, 2025. George Washington is the U.S. Navy’s premier forward-deployed aircraft carrier, a long-standing symbol of the United States’ commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region, while operating alongside allies and partners across the U.S. Navy’s largest numbered fleet. (
251209-N-UM953-1026 Dec 11 2025
U.S. Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 242 , 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepare to load ordinance onto an F-35B Lightning II aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault carrier USS Tripoli (LHA 7), flagship of the Tripoli Expeditionary Strike Group, Dec. 7, 2025, while conducting routine operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet Area of Operations
251207-M-EC903-1104 Dec 11 2025
A U.S. Marine with 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, forward deployed with 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division as part of the Unit Deployment Program, adjusts their PEQ-15 laser device before conducting a live-fire range during Korea Viper 26.1 at Camp Rodriguez, South Korea, Dec. 8, 2025.
251208-M-SH338-2412 Dec 11 2025
From left, U.S. Air Force Senior Airmen Mark Weinstein and Cody Raymond, 374th Air Expeditionary Wing loadmasters, drop humanitarian bundles.
251210-F-SL055-1361 Dec 11 2025
U.S. Navy Landing Craft, Air Cushion 32 with to Assault Craft Unit 5, embarks Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) during shore to ship operations in the Pacific Ocean, Dec. 3, 2025.
251203-M-VC519-1678 Dec 04 2025
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Zhiyuan Jiang, section chief, B Battery, 6-37 Field Artillery Regiment, 210 Field Artillery Brigade, fires 240B machine gun during a live fire exercise at Montana Range near Paju, South Korea, Nov. 4, 2025.
251204-A-AM489-1014 Dec 04 2025
A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265 (Rein.), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, lands during flight operations aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault carrier USS Tripoli (LHA 7), flagship of the Tripoli Expeditionary Strike Group, Dec. 2, 2025, while conducting routine operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet Area of Operations.
251202-M-MH864-1026 Dec 03 2025
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 5 Expeditionary Mine Countermeasures (ExMCM) Company 9-3 and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) EOD teams jump from an MH-53E Sea Dragon from Helicopter Mine countermeasures squadron 15 (HM-15) during a helicopter casting exercise as part of Mine Warfare Exercise (MINEX) 3JA, Nov. 22, 2025.
ABURATSU, Japan Dec 03 2025
U.S. Marines with 7th Communication Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, patrol on an obstacle course during Operation Odyssey Stormbreaker III at Jungle Warfare Training Center, Okinawa, Japan, Nov. 4, 2025.
251104-M-JI447-1147 Dec 02 2025
An F-35B Lighting II, assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 242, lands on the flight deck during flight operations aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault carrier USS Tripoli (LHA 7), Nov. 28, 2025.
251128-N-RT401-1099 Dec 02 2025
U.S. Sailors attach a cargo hook to an MH-60R Sea Hawk, assigned to the “Battle Cats” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 73, on the flight deck of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108) in the Philippine Sea, Nov. 26, 2025.
251126-N-VM650-1432 Dec 02 2025
A U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning II flies over clouds.
251027-F-LO539-1009 Dec 01 2025
U.S. Sailors prepare an F/A-18E Super Hornet, attached to the “Mighty Shrikes” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 94, for launch on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in the Philippine Sea, Nov. 25, 2025.
251125-N-IP140-1172 Nov 26 2025
The weapons squad from C Co. 4-9 Infantry engages designated targets during a platoon live fire exercise at the Rodriguez Live Fire Complex in South Korea.
251120-A-IJ924-2068 Nov 25 2025
An F-35C Lightning II, attached to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, prepares to make an arrested landing on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) on Nov. 23, 2025.
251123-N-NH911-1113 Nov 25 2025
A C-17 aircraft delivers cargo over a drop zone.
251107-F-JA727-1123 Nov 24 2025
U.S. Marines with Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, run in formation at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Nov. 7, 2025
251107-M-JN598-1302 Nov 24 2025
Three U.S. Air Force Fighting Falcons from the 35th Fighter Squadron depart for the Super Squadron Phase 2 test at Osan Air Base in an F-16 Fighting Falcon at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Nov. 21, 2025.
251121-F-KK391-1065 Nov 21 2025
Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Asheville (SSN 758) returns to Naval Base Guam, reaffirming its role in the Indo-Pacific, Nov. 18, 2025.
251118-N-EH855-1020 Nov 20 2025
Soldiers aboard a boat flying an American flag transit a body of water as other boats converge in the area, with lingering smoke and tree-scaped land in the background.
251120-A-BF020-1005 Nov 20 2025
Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Hyuga-class helicopter destroyer, JS Hyuga, leads United States Navy Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, USS Fitzgerald (centre-right), Indian Navy Shivalik-class frigate, INS Sahyadri (centre-left), and Royal Australian Navy Anzac-class frigate, HMAS Ballarat, during Exercise MALABAR 25 off the coast of Guam.
251113-N-NO824-1002 Nov 20 2025
A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 4th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, deployed to Kadena Air Base, conducts aerial refueling with a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron during a local exercise over the Pacific Ocean, Nov. 17, 2025.
251117-F-KO634-1033 Nov 19 2025
U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles assigned to the 336th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron conduct a mission sortie during a three-month deployment to U.S. Navy Support Facility Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territory.
250601-F-F3701-1001 Nov 18 2025
U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Dawson Dauzat, a high mobility artillery rocket system operator assigned to 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, operates an M240B machine gun during a live-fire mission at the Combined Arms Training Center, Camp Fuji, Japan, Oct. 26, 2025.
251026-M-NV658-1191 Nov 13 2025
U.S. Marines with Force Reconnaissance Platoon, Maritime Raid Force, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct a freefall jump during parachute operations training over Okinawa, Japan, Sep. 26, 2025.
250926-M-EC903-2694 Sep 30 2025
A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 4th Fighter Squadron flies over the Pacific Ocean during a refueling mission in preparation of Exercise Bushido Guardian 2025 near Misawa Air Base, Japan, Sept. 26, 2025.
250926-F-EP621-1293 Sep 30 2025
U.S. Marines with Force Reconnaissance Platoon, Maritime Raid Force, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct a freefall jump during parachute operations training over Okinawa, Japan, Sep. 26, 2025.
250926-M-MI274-1294 Sep 30 2025
A Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) KC-30, two U.S. Air Force F-35s, two RAAF F-35s and two Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) F-15Js fly in formation over the Pacific Ocean prior to the start of Exercise Bushido Guardian (BG) 25 near Misawa Air Base, Japan, Sept. 26, 2025.
250926-F-F3702-1001 Sep 29 2025
U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Devin McRae, a loadmaster with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 153, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, waits for arrival at a drop zone before releasing container delivery systems from a KC-130J Super Hercules during an air delivery operation for Resolute Dragon 25 at Ie Shima, Okinawa, Japan, Sept. 23, 2025.
250923-M-NM862-1348 Sep 26 2025
U.S. Marines with 12th Littoral Combat Team, 12th Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, participate in force-on-force training during Resolute Dragon 25 at Hijudai Maneuver Area, Oita, Japan, Sept. 20, 2025.
250920-M-AO948-1421 Sep 26 2025
U.S. Army Missouri National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 1st Battalion, 138th Infantry Regiment and Japan Ground Self Defense Force personnel conduct tactical maneuver training as part of Orient Shield 25 at Sekiyama Training Area, Niigata, Japan, Sept. 19, 2025.
250919-A-KM154-1018 Sep 24 2025
.S. Marine Corps pilots with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 262, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing perform a hot seat switch during Resolute Dragon 25 on Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Kanoya Air Base, Kagoshima, Japan, Sept. 19, 2025.
250919-M-AD637-1205 Sep 24 2025
U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Cole Goodrich, a crew chief with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, gives a signal for refueling during exercise Resolute Dragon 25 on Ie Shima, Japan, Sept. 19, 2025.
250919-M-AD637-1151 Sep 23 2025
A U.S. Navy F-35C Lightning II jet with Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147, Carrier Air Wing 5, conducts field carrier landing practice at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 18, 2025.
YAMAGUCHI, Japan Sep 22 2025
A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 355th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, departs after receiving fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, during Freedom Edge 25 over the Pacific Ocean, Sept. 16, 2025.
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan Sep 19 2025
.S. Marines with 12th Littoral Combat Team, 12th Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, fire the FGM-148 Javelin during Resolute Dragon 25 at Hijudai Maneuver Area, Oita Prefecture, Japan, Sept. 15, 2025.
250915-M-AO948-1141 Sep 19 2025
A U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing flies over Saga Prefecture, Japan, Sept. 12, 2025, during exercise Resolute Dragon 25.
250912-M-JH235-1064 Sep 18 2025
U.S. Marines with 12th Littoral Combat Team, 12th Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, wait for a fire mission during Resolute Dragon 25 at Hijudai Maneuver Area, Oita Prefecture, Japan, Sept. 13, 2025.
250913-M-AO948-1174 Sep 17 2025
U.S. 7TH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS (Sept. 16, 2025) – Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Republic of Korea Navy, and U.S. Navy ships sail in formation in support of Exercise Freedom Edge 25, Sept. 16. Trilateral exercises like Freedom Edge demonstrate a shared commitment to achieve and maintain peace in the Asia-Pacific. U.S. 7th Fleet, the Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Charles Oki)
250916-N-SF508-1872 Sep 17 2025
A U.S. Air Force pararescueman assigned to the 31st Rescue Squadron, jumps off a C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 36th Airlift Squadron, above Yokota Air Base, Japan, Aug. 27, 2025.
250827-F-KO634-1107 Sep 16 2025
Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Ashley Oscar, from Atlanta, left, and Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Airman Korie Espenschied, from Beach City, Ohio, both assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) observe a U.S. Army AH-64E Apache Guardian helicopter from the 2nd Squadron, 6th Calvary Regiment assigned to the 25th CAB take off from the flight deck of the America during a joint aviation training exercise with the U.S. Army, boosting interoperability and readiness in the Indo-Pacific region Sept. 11
250911-N-TW227-1117 Sep 15 2025
U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Ospreys with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 262, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing fly in formation during exercise Resolute Dragon 25 off of the coast of Kagoshima, Japan, Sept. 12, 2025.
250912-M-AD637-1225 Sep 15 2025
 


 

 

 

 

Operation Christmas Drop Showcases HA/DR Training

18 December 2015

From Tech. Sgt. Melissa K. Mekpongsatorn

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ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules crews from Yokota Air Base, Japan, launched the final missions of Operation Christmas Drop 2015, Dec. 15,  officially completing this year's operation with 100 percent of bundles on target.

Since Dec. 8, C-130 crews from Yokota's 36th Airlift Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force and Japan Air Self-Defense Force worked together on humanitarian aid/disaster relief training while spreading goodwill and Christmas joy throughout the Federated States of Micronesia, Northern Marianas and the Republic of Palau.

This was the first time the three nations trained alongside one another, executing 22 missions and flying 105.8 hours to provide critical supplies to 56 Micronesian islands impacting about 20,000 people covering 1.8 million square miles.

"Our ability to interoperate with our allies and partners is critical," said Lt. Col. Andrew Campbell, 36th AS commander. "This kind of training and teamwork provides the foundation upon which we can work together in peacetime and crisis while addressing broader shared interests across the region."

Together, aircrews trained for HA/DR using low-cost, low-altitude airdrops on unsurveyed drop zones. This was an opportunity for the Japanese to hone their skill while working with the U.S. and Australian aviators, and provided a new technical skillset for the RAAF. The 36th AS provided observers and advisers onboard both JASDF and RAAF aircraft, while the JASDF and RAAF had observers onboard U.S. C-130s as well.

"Part of the importance of contributing to Operation Christmas Drop is the fact we are building on the relationships with the U.S. Air Force and the JASDF," said RAAF squad leader Christopher George Bassingthwaihte. "It's incredibly important for us to operate together, so that if a contingency or humanitarian crisis arises we can come together and pull our resources, and if we have done this before we will be able to do so much better."

One hundred bundles were successfully dropped to islands across the three objective areas. Each bundle contained donated items such as clothing, food, fish hooks, fishing line and other goods collected by the Operation Christmas Drop private organization and Airman at Andersen AFB.

Some of the islands are so remote that they may only get one or two supply shipments via boat per year. According to Bruce Best, Pacific Basin Telehealth Resource Center, Pacific program coordinator, "Christmas Drop is the most important day of the year for them, this is the biggest thing going on."

Best has been volunteering his time to help Operation Christmas Drop for the last 34 years, dedicating countless hours before and during Operation Christmas Drop to coordinate air drops between islanders and the 374th AW's mission planning cell (also known by its mission name, "North Pole Ops") via high frequency radio. He ensured islanders knew when they would receive their bundles, provided safety instructions and relayed back to the aircrews what identifying markers island residents put on the drop zones.

Every part of the Operation Christmas Drop mission is carefully planned with Best playing a pivotal role in ensuring the mission planning and execution was successful.

Each island that receives a bundle has their own unique way of deciding what they will do with the items inside. On the first day of drops, call sign SANTA 11, aircrews dropped two bundles with more than 800 pounds of supplies and toys to the island of Fais, in the Federated States of Micronesia.

The island has one main Chief, Chief Louis Mangtau, who governs three small villages. Holding a crucial position among his people, the chief was the first and only person to open the dropped bundles. He then sorted through the contents and made three piles, as villagers watched and waited patiently. Each pile was then given to the head of each village to determine who gets what -- except for certain coveted goods such as fishing line, hooks, and fins, which were distributed by the chief himself to those in need.

The process is well organized on Fais to make sure everything is divided fairly. While supplies inside the box are key and the toys fun for families, the parachute is said to be the most important item on the bundle. Islanders use it for a variety of applications, from covering their canoes to improving their roofing.

According Chief Mangtau, the church donates all the food for the island's holiday dinner, a time when all villages come together to eat and sing Christmas songs. He said the airdrops are enjoyable for the entire island and is an event they look forward to every year.

The anticipated Christmas dinner would not be possible without the hundreds of volunteers, donations, the copious amount of maintenance hours and coordination with international partners.

Though the U.S., RAAF and JASDF all had their fair share of challenges from the severe weather of a tropical depression to aircraft maintenance and engine replacements, the hard work and dedication from then entire team made Operation Christmas Drop 2015 a resounding success.

 

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