The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has aided in the delivery of 200 humanitarian bundles in the latest Operation Christmas Drop, a United States Pacific Air Forces (PACAF)-led activity to support remote communities across the West Pacific.
From November 30 to December 12, a RAAF C-130J Hercules transport aircraft and 24 personnel deployed to Andersen Air Base in Guam and worked alongside counterparts from the United States, Japan, New Zealand, and Republic of Korea.
Together, the five nations delivered a record 200 humanitarian bundles to 57 remote communities in Republic of Palau, Northern Marianas, and Federated States of Micronesia – an area covering six million square kilometres of the West Pacific.
RAAF Detachment Commander for Operation Christmas Drop 22, Flight Lieutenant Thomas Newman, said the deployment was a career highlight for many involved.
“We helped pack the humanitarian bundles of fishing lines, rice, sporting equipment and school supplies that was delivered to these communities,” Flight Lieutenant Newman said.
“We then planned missions alongside other nations' Hercules crews in Guam, before setting out on missions of up to eight hours in duration.”
Each bundle weighed up to 200 kilograms and Hercules crews delivered them to drop zones located on beaches, lagoons or small clearings.
“Flying over the remote communities and speaking to them by radio was a highlight of the mission and showed the importance of Operation Christmas Drop 22,” Flight Lieutenant Newman said.
“There’s a great sense of fulfilment from the crews in safely delivering these bundles to a drop zone we’ve never been to before.
“Operation Christmas Drop 22 gives us the experience and relationships to conduct combined operations in future, including delivering humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in remote locations.”