JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA -- Members from the 315th Operations Group, along with their family and friends, received a visit from Santa Claus Dec. 3, 2016 at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina.
The joy-filled appearance by Santa, which was set in the cargo bay of a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft, was part of an annual event aimed at increasing unit morale and family readiness.
“Magical, that was the only way to describe the light in my children’s eyes as they watched the huge jet bank over the field where we were standing, land and back up to reveal the jolly man himself, Santa Claus,” said Lauren Lethco, the sister-in-law of 1st Lt. Dennis Connor, 701st Airlift Squadron pilot. “My kids will talk for years about how their uncle Dennis flew all the way to the North Pole to get Santa.”
In addition to meeting Santa, hundreds of Airmen and their families enjoyed other festivities such as refreshments, hands-on exploring of the mini C-17 and a firetruck, along with receiving gifts specific to each child.
“This is always a big morale booster, we look forward to it every year,” said Lt. Col. John Robinson, 315th Operations Group commander. “It’s great because the families, who we sometimes spend a lot of time away from here, get to see and experience what we do. It also helps connect our families together.”
Upon seeing the jet land and roar towards the awaiting crowd, the children cheered, waived and jumped until they were welcomed onto the aircraft by Santa. Scores of children burst into a full run across the flight line until they reached the cache of presents in the cargo bay.
The 315th Operations Group provides unrivaled operational support to sustain combat readiness of three C-17A flying squadrons, one aeromedical evacuation squadron and one airlift control flight for the global transport of troops and war fighting materiel. Comprised of a wing operations center and offices of current operations, weapons and tactics, aircrew training, life support, operations plans and computer support this squadron provides the analytical infrastructure that sustains operations and training for the 315th Operations Group and 315th Airlift Wing.