U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Kim Doyle, a loadmaster assigned to the 36th Airlift Squadron, Yokota Air Base, Japan, poses for a portrait in front of a U.S. Air Force C-130J during Operation Christmas Drop at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Dec. 10, 2021. OCD is the Department of Defense’s longest-running humanitarian airlift operation, beginning in 1952. Today, airdrop operations include more than 55 islands throughout the Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Aubree Owens) ()
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- It was a hot, muggy day, but Santa still had to deliver presents to islands in the Pacific.
For a lot of people in the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Palau, one of their Santas during the 70th Anniversary of Operation Christmas Drop was Senior Airman Kim Doyle, 36th Airlift Squadron loadmaster.
“This is my first humanitarian mission and it’s been life changing for me,” said Doyle. “Most of what I do at Yokota is just training and preparing for a crisis. I’m just so glad I had the opportunity to come out here and a be a part of this mission.”
As part of her job for the OCD mission, Doyle peered over the loading ramp, picked and mark drop zones, and communicated that information to the pilots of her C-130J Super Hercules.
“These loadmasters do a dangerous job, and I’m just grateful, every day, that we have them on the back of our plane,” said 1st Lt. Harrison Law, 36th AS pilot. “I see Airmen Doyle as a little sister. She’s an extremely hard worker, and she isn’t afraid to tell us what to do and how to handle things for her.”
During a few of her flights, she had the chance to show some Japanese Air Self-Defense Force members, who were flying C-130H Super Hercules, how she accomplishes the mission.
“I find it interesting how we get to interact with our partners here,” said Doyle. “During OCD, the JASDF have flown on our plane, which is a little bit different than theirs. I got to give them a tour and answer all their questions on the differences.”
This year, Doyle’s efforts contributed to supplying aid to over 22,000 residents across more than 55 remote islands in the South-Eastern Pacific.
“It was emotional for me, since this was the first time I’ve done anything like this. Knowing that we are out here giving aid to these people is a phenomenal experience.”
