FRIDAY FOTO (April 13, 2018)

Night Ops over Japan.

(U.S. Air Force photo by Yasuo Osakabe)

Air Force Senior Airman Stephen Clark (left), and Airman 1st Class Matthew Pfeffer sit on the open ramp of a C-130J Super Hercules flying near Yokota Air Base, Japan on March 26, 2018.

The airmen, loadmasters assigned to the 36th Airlift Squadron, were about to conduct a simulated airdrop over Yokota. Aircrews regularly conduct night operations to prepare for a variety of contingencies throughout the region.

FRIDAY FOTO (January 12-15, 2018)

Mountain High.

(U.S. Air Force photo by Yasuo Osakabe)

We’re beginning to think that one just can’t take a bad photo of Japan’s iconic Mount Fuji.

Here an Air Force C-130J Super Hercules flies near Japan’s tallest mountain during a routine sortie out of Yokota Air Base, Japan, Jan. 12, 2018. The aircraft is assigned to the 36th Airlift Squadron.

FRIDAY FOTO (January 6, 2017)

Herculean View.

(U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Elizabeth Baker)
This aircrew aboard a C-130 Hercules circling over a remote island in Micronesia last month appear to have the have the best seat in the house. Assigned to the 36th Airlift Squadron,  the crew was practicing airdrop procedures December 5, 2016 during Operation Christmas Drop. Each year Operation Christmas Drop provides tools, food, clothing and toys to over 30,000 islanders in the Pacific.

In addition to highlighting the complicated cockpit technology — with the heavenly view — we thought this photo and the operation it illustrates  was a suitable holiday season subject for today, January 6 — Three Kings Day. Also known as the feast of the Magi or Epiphany, the holiday is also celebrated in many countries as the last day of the Christmas season (the 12th Day of Christmas, as in the song).

FRIDAY FOTO (December 27, 2013)

Santa Flight

U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Marianique Santos

Some of Santa’s helpers discus flight plans over the Pacific Ocean during Operation Christmas Drop.

Maj. John Chrampanis, a C-130 Hercules aircraft commander with the 36th Airlift Squadron speaks with Capt. Michael Kelly, a C-130 pilot with the 36th AS. Both pilots are stationed at Yokota Air Base, Japan.

This year marked the 61st anniversary of the holiday mission delivering gifts and supplies to more than 30,000 islanders on Chuuk, Palau, Yap, the Marshall Islands and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Airman for the 36th Wing at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, as well as family members, local volunteers and airmen from the 36th Airlift Squadron at Yokota, kicked off the mission December 11. Packages of toys, clothing, fishing equipment, sporting goods, food items, tools and other items were airdropped from C-130 Hercules aircraft to 54 islands.

To see more photos of the holiday mission, click here.

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