Santa arrives in Honduras on C-130

Published Dec. 20, 2007
By Senior Airman Ali Flisek
1st SOW Public Affairs

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- This year, Santa's sleigh was an MC-130P Combat Shadow from the 9th Special Operations Squadron. The aircraft revved up its engines and took off toward Honduras for Operation Christmas Wish, an annual mission by Hurlburt Field Airman to deliver Christmas packages to Honduran orphans.

This year 16 1st Special Operations Wing Airmen from the 9th SOS, 6th SOS and wing staff made the three-hour flight in hopes of spreading some Christmas cheer to more than 800 children at five orphanages. The plane was packed with more than 9,000 pounds of toys, clothing and appliances.

Operation Christmas Wish began 15 years ago when then-Tech. Sgt. Manuel Torres and then-Maj. Kenneth Poole were on an exercise to La Ceiba, Honduras. Seeing such a poor country inspired them to search for a way to help.

Driving around the city, Sergeant Torres came across a sign for the S.O.S Orphanage. Curious to see if there was any relation to special operations, they discovered an impoverished orphanage named Aldea Infantil S.O.S La Ceiba.

The rest is heart-wrenching history.

"We were the ones to start it, but it's the hard working Airmen today who keep it going and have made it the orphanage what it is today," Mr. Poole said .

This year, months of planning resulted in more than 800 children receiving a Christmas package. In all, the crew transported 875 boxes filled with gifts.

John Grove, president of the Air Commando Association, began his planning in July.

With written permission from the Honduran government, he started to gather the names of boys and girls at five different orphanages. Airmen assigned to Hurlburt Field and Eglin Air Force Base squadrons got the names of children along with their age and size to purchase items for the recipients, then they put together boxes for each child.

"While it's the toys and games that are always on the children's list, it's the clothes, shoes, and hygiene products that are really what they need," said Honduran native, Tech. Sgt. Norman Padilla Cruz, 1st Special Operations Aerospace Medical Squadron, who was one of three translators on the humanitarian mission.

When the crew first arrived at Hector Caraccioli Moncada Air Base in La Ceiba, Honduras, they were greeted by members of the Honduran air force. Forming a long receiving line, they unloaded nearly two and a half pallets of gift boxes, stuffed animals, stoves and refrigerators and took them to Aldea Infantil S.O.S La Ceiba Orphanage.

Once at the orphanage, the aircrew passed out candy canes to the children.

Sergeant Padilla Cruz, dressed as Santa Claus, was greeted with smiles, hugs and cries of "Santa!"

Each child was called up to receive their Christmas box and a hug from Santa. As the Airmen left they told the kids to make sure they look up in the sky for Santa's "sleigh." On the way to its next delivery, the MC-130 made a fly-by over the orphanage.

"It broke my heart having to leave those kids," said 2nd Lt. Eric Garcia, 9th SOS. "They would not let go of me."

The Hurlburt Airmen's next stop was Soto Cano Air Base, in Comayagua, Honduras. A remote assignment for U.S. forces personnel, the base is split into separate compounds for the Hondurans and the Americans. Five orphanages around the area are adopted by American Army and Air Force outfits. These units support their orphanage year-round with donations, repairs or just spending time with the children.

"This gives the boys something to look forward to," said Leodan Ulloa Buezo, a caretaker at Hogar de Ninos San Antonio Orphanage. "They know they won't be receiving anything from their families this year. This gives them hope."

There were extreme differences at each orphanage visited. At the S.O.S Orphanage, the children wore their Sunday best. The landscape was lush and all the kids had shoes. At the San Antonio Orphanage the children wore rags and slept in beds absent of sheets. But all the children expressed overwhelming appreciation and gratitude.

"It gives a little perspective," said Staff Sgt. Mike Couey, 9th SOS. "Hopefully, this shows that we're not just out there killing people. We're actually doing some good in the world, too."

The children weren't the only ones with smiles on their faces. Even with the language barrier, the crew wasn't hesitant to jump in and interact with the children. They almost seemed more elated than the kids themselves.

"I feel privileged to be given this opportunity," said Staff Sgt. Lance Roe, 1st Special Operations Maintenance Squadron. "Even though we are only at each orphanage for a few hours, I hope this brings each child long lasting memories."