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Suffolk, England. (December 22, 2023): In this photo by Airman 1st Class Katie Mullikin, Air Force Senior Airman Storm Dillard with the 100th Communications Squadron helps a Beck Row Primary Academy student communicate over land mobile radios during “Radio Santa”, an annual event to help kids talk to Santa. Each year, Airmen volunteer their time at local schools surrounding Royal Air Force Mildenhall during the holidays.
If any unit can successfully reach Santa, it is the 100th Communications Squadron.
These squadrons, the “eyes and ears” of the Air Force, maintain sophisticated communication and surveillance systems for air wings. These technicians are experts at all manner of voice, data, and satellite communications, They also manage some of America’s most sensitive surveillance data. The 100th is part of U.S. Air Forces Europe that comprises 10,000 personnel distributed across six major air bases throughout the country. America established permanent bases in England after the defeat of the Nazis. America’s presence represents our continuing commitment to NATO and the defense of freedom.
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Swietoszow, Poland. (December 21, 2023): In this photo by Sergeant Demetrysean Lewis, Specialist Jack Lingenfelter, a motor transport operator assigned to Kentucky’s National Guard 2113th Transportation Company, plays Santa while collecting high fives from local Polish children. Specialist Lingenfelter and his comrades chose to volunteer their off time to entertain children in local schools during the holidays. To them, it’s just part of being a good neighbor. Throughout the visit, the Soldiers gave out gift bags, and listened to the students sing Christmas songs. A bonus was that students got a chance to practice their English language skills with their American guests.
These 2113th Transportation Company soldiers are in Poland as part of the U.S. military buildup after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Today, units like the Kentucky National Guard rotate throughout the year and the American military has recently established its first permanent presence in the country. The U.S. 5th Corp will be based in the City of Poznan to coordinate the activities of Army forces from the Baltics to Bulgaria. The garrison now oversees a dozen different sites across Poland while deploying some 10,000 troops on a rotational basis.
Of course, equally important are the bonds developed between the average G.I. and the host population whose support is just as vital to the mission. For these Kentucky National Guard soldiers, the reward lies in the delighted eyes of children in the joy of Christmas.
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Naval Hospital Bremerton, Washington. (December 12, 2023): To many Americans, Father Christmas and Santa Clause are one and the same. History, however, tells a different story. In this photo by Douglas Stutz, Father Christmas is surrounded by hospital staff as they gather for a tree lighting ceremony to commemorate the trilogy of light, faith, and hope that embodies the holiday season. What many do not know is that Father Christmas and Santa Claus are entirely separate people with distinct histories.
The legend of Father Christmas goes back centuries and was first introduced to England after the Norman invasion in 1066. Originally a pagan figure celebrated by adults, Father Christmas became centered on the welfare of children during the Victorian Era. Legend has it that a local merchant, to gain the attention of a fair maiden, began dropping gold coins down her chimney thus beginning the legend of Father Christmas delivering presents that way. The trimming of trees and decorating houses with holly can also be traced to this era as can the practice of placing a star or angel atop the Christmas tree.
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Naples, Italy (December 15, 2023): The American Forces Network has something special for America’s armed forces and their families serving overseas this season. In this photo by MC1 Donavan K. Patubo, MC3 Joe Cardona broadcasts a monthly talk show as part of AFN’s worldwide communication network that serves over 350,000 servicemembers. Through its satellite service, Direct-to-Sailor, AFN will broadcast special holiday programming to Navy ships at sea around the world.
This year, AFN has created a diverse mix of entertainment for television, radio, and streaming services and will include such holiday classics as "It's a Wonderful Life”, “A Christmas Story," and" Home Alone." In a tradition that began in 1942, the AFN network will broadcast holiday music to local and regional audiences via its 24 military broadcast stations around the globe.
The AFN wants to ring in the holiday by providing good cheer and heartwarming entertainment for America’s servicemembers serving far from home this holiday season.
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Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona. (December 6, 2023): The true magic of the season can be seen in the eyes of a child when they first meet Santa and Mrs. Clause in the flesh. In this photo by Corporal Gideon Schippers, a little boy, capably restrained by his sister, greets Santa for the first time at the Marine Corps Community Services center. Community Services hosts this annual event for families of active-duty troops to kick off the holiday season.
The Yuma Station is a large family with over 5,000 military personnel, 3,500 family members, 2,200 civilians, and a large veteran population. Yuma is the home to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron 1 which is responsible for the training of all the Corp’s tactical aviation units. The Station conducts a Weapons and Tactics Instructor course for pilots flying the F-35B Lightning II fighters.
The Marine Corps goes out of its way to make the holidays special for its unique patriotic community.
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Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia. (December 6, 2023): Sailors and Marines always enjoy a friendly competition, this time involving cake decorating. In this photo by MC1 Justin Kemble, Interior Communications Electrician 2nd Class Paola Diaz, left, and Retail Specialist Seaman Nadya Lowder, right, decorate a gingerbread house on the mess deck aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp. The thousand plus crew and the roughly 2,200 embarking troops of the Wasp are in Norfolk for Amphibious Squadron/Marine Expeditionary Unit Integration training. The program teaches Sailors and Marines, many of whom have never deployed aboard ships, how to load and offload personnel and equipment while adjusting to life at sea.
Embarking onto multiple ships and deploying these assets from ship to shore is an extremely complicated task involving intense planning and coordination. The Wasp is specifically designed to accommodate the Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) for fast troop movement over the beach. She also carries the stealthy Harrier II Vertical/Short Take-Off and Landing jets for close air support for the assault force. She can also accommodate the full range of Navy and Marine Corps helicopters, the tiltrotor MV-22 Osprey, the F-35B Lightning II multi-role fighter, conventional landing craft, and amphibious vehicles.
The talented crew of the Wasp have many responsibilities, but it is nice sometimes to take a gingerbread break, especially during the holidays.