CIRCLE, Alaska — Alaska Army and Air National Guard members and Salvation Army volunteers boarded a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter with Santa Claus Nov. 6, 2024, to deliver gifts to the remote village of Circle along the Yukon River.
The event was one of three deliveries this year as the Alaska Guard and the Salvation Army work to bring Santa’s magic to the farthest corners of Alaska.
“In the 13 years I’ve been with the Yukon Flats school district, I’ve never seen more enthusiasm in the kids,” said John Biafore, Yukon Flats school district principal. “Many of our older students remember when they were young and how it was having Santa come to their homes. The group brought it back again, and it was something the kids needed. This really launched us into an extremely happy holiday season.”
This year marks the 69th iteration of the AKNG’s Operation Santa Claus, spreading holiday cheer across remote Alaskan communities since 1956.
Alaska Guard’s Operation Santa Claus brings holiday cheer
- by: Senior Master Sgt. Julie Avey
- 2024-12-09
- Source:
www.army.mil
- 12/10/2024
Santa Claus smiles after arriving in Circle, Alaska, on board an Alaska Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk to deliver gifts to children during Operation Santa Claus, Nov. 6, 2024 by Photo by U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Julie Avey is licensed under digital Alaska National Guard
