Hope From the Skies: Latter-day Saints Join Decades-Old Humanitarian Airlift Across Micronesia

Each December, the skies above Micronesia fill not just with aircraft, but with goodwill. For more than a decade, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have partnered with the U.S. Department of Defense to participate in Operation Christmas Drop, the military’s longest-running humanitarian airlift mission.

The tradition began in 1952 when the crew of a B-29 Superfortress, flying over the remote atoll of Kapingamarangi, spotted residents waving from the shore. Moved by the moment, the airmen dropped a bundle of supplies by parachute—a gesture that has since evolved into a yearly delivery to dozens of islands across Micronesia. This year, 270 carefully prepared boxes were dispatched to 60 islands, bringing toys, school supplies, fishing gear, food, and personal care items to communities in need.

In the weeks leading up to the drop, volunteers gathered at Andersen Air Force Base to build and decorate the boxes. On December 5, four senior missionary couples, along with members of the Barrigada Guam Stake, including Stake President Fredivic Nicerio and self-reliance and welfare manager Brett Child, joined the Layton family—Grant, Taryn, and their children Rowan, Boden, and Dylan—to decorate and pack the Church’s contribution. Laughter and Christmas music filled the hangar as volunteers transformed stacks of cardboard into vibrant parcels of hope.

President Nicerio described the effort as more than a delivery of goods. “I hope that everyone feels the love that our Savior has for everyone, especially those on the remote islands,” he said. “These drops help them know they are loved from people afar. This Christmas Drop is a way of helping others, and that is what our Savior, Jesus Christ, wants us to do.”

For many families, participation is a hands-on lesson in service. The Laytons returned for their second year, seeking to instill in their children an understanding of life on the islands and the importance of the supplies being sent. “We love for our kids to gain an understanding of how people live on the islands and what their needs are,” Grant Layton said. Similarly, the Egbert family, participating for the second consecutive year, emphasized the value of service for their six children, who had the chance to meet recipients during a visit to Rota.

Behind the scenes, senior humanitarian missionaries Elder and Sister Brooksby coordinated volunteers and logistics. Sister Brooksby explained that such projects foster lasting relationships, noting, “When we do projects like this, we build bridges and relationships that open doors for the gospel. People recognize our name and see that we are doing good things, and then they are more receptive to listening.”

Once loaded, the C-130 cargo planes took to the skies for a week of festive missions, each assigned a “Santa” flight number. The aircraft flew to remote islands in Yap, Pohnpei, Kosrae, Palau, and Chuuk, releasing boxes that floated on parachutes toward waiting islanders.

For recipients, the drops are more than supplies—they are a source of joy and community. On Yap, Daniel, a counselor in the local branch presidency, recalled last year’s drop vividly. Watching from the shore as the parachute landed near his home, he retrieved the box and later repurposed the parachute to create a shaded gathering place, now used by friends and family. Islanders also make practical use of parachute cords, employing them to retrieve spear guns while fishing.

Operation Christmas Drop continues to deliver more than material goods. For Micronesians, it represents generosity, connection, and tradition—an annual reminder that even across thousands of miles, hope can arrive by air, one parachute at a time.