Air dispatchers pack Christmas spirit

A specialist team from Army’s 176 Air Dispatch Squadron has helped bring Christmas cheer to isolated Pacific islands as part of Operation Christmas Drop 24.

CAPTION: A member from the Republic of Korea Air Force, centre, helps Australian Army air dispatchers Corporal Ryan Cheevers and Private Kurt Matthews prepare a ‘bundle’ for Operation Christmas Drop 24. Story by Lieutenant Geoff Long. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Maddison Scott.

The four air dispatchers worked side-by-side with their counterparts from the United States Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) and Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) to prepare 220 bundles of essential items, lovingly packed by community volunteers and Defence personnel, for airdrop over the islands.

Operation Christmas Drop, conducted annually from Andersen Air Force Base in Guam, is now in its 73rd year and is the world’s longest-running humanitarian airdrop activity.

This year the 36-strong Australian contingent included a C-130J Hercules and personnel from RAAF Base Richmond’s 37 Squadron as well as the four 176 Squadron members.

Lead Army air dispatcher Corporal Ryan Cheevers said the team had enjoyed being part of an operation known for its community spirit and far-reaching impact.

“One of the highlights for us was the ‘bundle day’ and seeing the families and volunteers come out to pack and decorate all of the boxes – it’s just something that has been great to be a part of,” he said.

Each of the 220 bundles weighs about 200kg and contains donated items such as fishing nets, construction materials, food items, clothing, toys and school supplies. Some of the boxes packed by the Australian contingent also included donations from members of 37 Squadron.

The boxes are packed and painted in a festive atmosphere in one of the hangars on Andersen Air Force Base, before they are handed over to the participating Defence riggers and air dispatchers for final preparation and loading onto Hercules aircraft.

CAPTION: Australian Defence Force members join personnel from the United States Pacific Air Forces, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, and the Republic of Korea Air Force for the Operation Christmas Drop 24 bundle build day.

This year there are also C-130 aircraft from the US, Canada, Japan and South Korea.

The 176 Squadron air dispatchers also joined 37 Squadron loadmasters in manually dispatching the bundles over their drop-zones across the remote islands of Palau and Micronesia.

Air dispatcher Lance Corporal Lex Raines said the experience of working with other nations had been beneficial for the team.

“In the future we may be involved in humanitarian and disaster response efforts or major exercises such as Talisman Sabre, so building up those relationships with other countries is important,” she said.

176 Air Dispatch Squadron operates from RAAF Base Richmond where it undertakes a specialist role in rigging, loading and unloading stores and equipment for Army as well as Navy and Air Force transport.

CAPTION: Australian Army air dispatchers Lance Corporal Lex Raines, Private Kurt Matthews, Corporal Ryan Cheevers and Private Dheeraj Marhas with the decorated, parachute-rigged bundles.

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