The real Operation Christmas Drop that inspired a Netflix movie

For many of the Micronesian islands in the North Pacific, Santa Claus doesn't come down a chimney - he sends down a parachute.

The U.S., Japan, and Australian airforces have come together to spread holiday cheer during Operation Christmas Drop. In this video Tech. Sgt. Bryan Magee takes us to Andersen Air Force Base, and shows us how they made the operation happen. 

This holiday mission started in 1952 when a US aircrew noticed a group of people on the island of Kapingamarangi waving at them. In response, the aircrew dropped a box of supplies attached to a parachute, and they carried on the tradition from that point forward.

This decades-old Christmas tradition inspired the 2020 netflix movie "Operation Christmas Drop". In the movie Congressional aide Erica Miller (Kat Graham) lands at a US Air Force base in Micronesia, where she clashes with Capt. Andrew Jantz (Alexander Ludwig). 

Operation Christmas Drop has not only inspired a Romantic Comedy but has also inspired people around the world to spread holiday joy and cheer during the festive season. 

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