Alaska National Guard hosts Operation Santa Claus
An Alaska Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk assigned to the National Guard Readiness Center in Bethel, Alaska, carries volunteers during Operation Santa Claus in Napakiak, Alaska, Dec. 3, 2019. Operation Santa Claus is an annual event hosted by the Alaska National Guard and the Salvation Army. The Alaska National Guard started the event in 1956 and was joined by the Salvation Army more than 40 years ago. This partnership serves as a way for the military to care for isolated villages. Napaiak is a village in western Alaska with a population of around 350 people. Volunteers flew into the village to deliver gifts, school supplies, backpacks, ice cream and an opportunity to take a photo with Santa for the entire community. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Emily Farnsworth)