Photo By Spc. Michael Gault | Soldiers of the 421st Quartermasters DET 4 pack care packages onto an airdrop order...... read more read more
SOUTHWEST ASIA– With an aircraft in place of a sleigh and a drop zone instead of a chimney, a little piece of holiday cheer was delivered to service members deployed in remote regions of Afghanistan.
When U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Patrick Lund, 379th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron, had received dozens of care packages donated by a local TV station near his home duty station at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., he immediately thought about service members deployed in other areas.
Filled with items such as hygiene products, candy, handmade hats, scarves, letters and pictures drawn by children of the Spokane, Wash., area who thanked the service members for what they are doing.
Lund wanted to send these care packages to service members in Afghanistan during the holidays.
"I thought of the outlying areas where service members are and who may not have the amenities or services that we have here," said Lund. "I made a phone call to the 816th [Expeditionary Airlift Squadron] who put me in touch with the 421st.’”
When Staff Sgt. Leonard Planer, the 421st Quarter Master Detachment 4 noncommissioned officer-in-charge, received the phone call from Lund requesting assistance, Planer agreed to help.
“We are always looking for ways to bring a little of the comfort we have here on base to the guys in more remote locations,” said Planer.
The soldiers of the 421st QM DET 4 were happy to help fulfill this request.
"Since we already have cargo allocated to be air dropped, adding a few care packages to a few of our pallets isn't a big deal," said Sgt. Barry MacDonald, lane chief for the 421st. "We get calls and notes from those guys downrange who say how much they appreciate those packages.”
“The outpouring from friends and family back home has been overwhelming, not just supporting us as their loved ones but also helping to support the service members we support downrange,” said Warrant Officer Philip Hamill, the 421st QM DET 4 commander. “We receive anywhere from 50 to 100 care packages a month from individuals and organizations wanting to show their support.”
Working together, the 379th EFSS and the 421st QM DET 4, made sure the packages were put onto the pallets. Late at night, Dec.19, 2012, in the spirit of holiday giving, U.S. Army and the Air Force airdrop operations delivered the packages to service members all across Afghanistan.
| Date Taken: | 12.19.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 01.12.2013 00:55 |
| Story ID: | 100293 |
| Location: | QA |
| Web Views: | 51 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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