A C-17 and a C-12 military transport planes screamed into remote airfields in Bethel and Nome, Alaska carrying pallets of gifts for children in remote corners of the northern United States such as Fort Yukon, Golovin, Koyuk and Tuluksak. When Mr. and Mrs. Claus arrived, they boarded a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter to begin the 68th annual Operation Santa Claus.
The Alaska National Guard and the Salvation Army teamed up for the event, delivering gifts to over 500 children. In Tuluksak, kindergarten students ran to the windows to catch a glimpse of Santa climbing out of the helicopter as it touched down outside.
When Santa arrives in the rural Alaskan communities, he kicks off the event by having everyone sing jingle bells, followed by an opportunity to take photos, and then the children received individualized gifts and candy canes.
"The students were very excited for this day, and today they were very anxious waiting," kindergarten teacher Hanna Alexie said in a press release.
With Operation Santa being a long running annual event, adults in these communities have their own recollections about Santa coming to visit them around Christmas time.
"I don’t have any memories besides him leaving, and I was wondering, why is Santa leaving in a helicopter?" Tribal Coordinator Donna Katchatag asked.
