Operation Santa/ Alaska Christmas delivery/ Yakutat holiday celebration/ Alaska Native village gifts/ military Santa mission/ Newslooks/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Santa and Mrs. Claus swapped their sleigh for a C-17 cargo plane to bring Christmas to Yakutat, an Alaska Native village. The Alaska National Guard’s Operation Santa delivered gifts, school supplies, and festive cheer to the Tlingit community of 600 residents.
Christmas in Yakutat: Quick Look
Key Points
- Operation Santa: Annual program by the Alaska National Guard, started in 1956.
- Unique Arrival: Santa and Mrs. Claus flew in a C-17 cargo plane and rode in a Humvee.
- Community Outreach: Focuses on remote villages affected by hardship; Yakutat was hit by heavy snowfall in 2022.
- Gifts Delivered: Backpacks with toys, books, snacks, and school supplies for local children.
Santa Takes to the Skies: Alaska Guard Delivers Holiday Joy to Yakutat
Deep Look
Santa’s New Ride
Santa Claus traded his traditional sleigh for a military-grade C-17 cargo plane to bring holiday joy to the remote Tlingit village of Yakutat in southeast Alaska. Accompanied by Mrs. Claus and a convoy that included a camouflaged Humvee, the festive team was part of the Alaska National Guard’s annual Operation Santa program, now in its 67th year.
Maj. Gen. Torrence Saxe, wearing a Santa hat along with his uniform, called the event a highlight of the National Guard’s year. “This is one of the funnest things we get to do, and it’s a proud moment for the Guard,” he said.
Festive Cheer for the Community
Yakutat, a village of about 600 residents located in Alaska’s panhandle, was selected due to the hardships it faced during the 2022 winter storms, which dumped six feet of snow and damaged buildings. On Wednesday, the National Guard brought much-needed cheer to the tight-knit community, which includes about 75 schoolchildren.
Excitement buzzed as a Humvee rolled into the school parking lot, sparking chants of “It’s Santa!” Inside, Mrs. Claus read a holiday story while Santa posed for photos and handed out gifts. The Salvation Army provided backpacks filled with toys, books, and supplies, while local contributors arranged a festive lunch and sundae bar.
Children’s Delight
Thomas Henry, a 10-year-old student, said his favorite item from the gift bag was a plastic dinosaur. Another student, Mackenzie Ross, 9, proudly showed off her new plush seal. “It’s special to have this opportunity because I’ve never experienced this before,” she said.
Operation Santa: A Holiday Tradition
Operation Santa Claus began in 1956 when severe flooding disrupted hunting in St. Mary’s, a rural Alaska community. Residents, having spent money on essential supplies, couldn’t afford Christmas gifts. The military stepped in to deliver presents, and the program has since grown into an annual tradition.
Each year, the National Guard selects remote villages impacted by natural disasters or isolation. Along with Yakutat, this year’s planned visits included Circle and Crooked Creek, communities that faced flooding. Severe weather disrupted Santa’s trip to Crooked Creek, but gifts were delivered earlier in November.
“We bring Christmas to rural places where kids might not experience it otherwise,” said Jenni Ragland of the Salvation Army Alaska Division. “For many, this is their first encounter with Santa or a festive celebration.”
Returning Home
The C-17 Globemaster III, too large to park at Yakutat’s small airport, made a quick return to Anchorage after dropping off its Christmas crew. Later, it came back to pick up the team. On the flight home, Santa, Mrs. Claus, and their tired elves were seen nodding off after a busy day spreading holiday joy.
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