Alaska National Guard by The National Guard Via Flickr: An Alaska Army National Guard Ch-47 Chinook helicopter departs Bryant Army Airfield Dec. 11 on it's way to Nanwalek to deliver Christmas gifts to the children of the village for Operation Santa Claus 2020. Operation Santa Claus is an Alaska National Guard annual community outreach program that provides Christmas gifts, books, school supplies and stocking stuffers to children in rural Alaskan communities. This year marks the 65th year of the program, which began in 1956 after the village of St. Mary's experienced a year of hardship and the Alaska Air National Guard flew in gifts and supplies donated by the local community. The Alaska National Guard was able to continue the tradition this year and safely provide gifts despite COVID-19. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Grace Nechanicky)
