Dobbins joins Operation Toy Drop

By Senior Airman Elizabeth Van Patten, 94th Airlift Wing Public Affairs / Published December 07, 2012

More than 1,600 paratroopers drop on Sicily Drop Zone during the 15th Annual Randy Oler Memorial Operation Toy Drop at Fort Bragg, N.C., Dec. 8, 2012. Soldiers donated a new, unwrapped toy yesterday at Pope Army Airfield's Green Ramp to earn a seat for today's jump and also the chance to earn airborne jump wings from participating allied nation jumpmasters. Toy Drop, hosted by the U.S. Army Civil Affairs & Psychological Operations Command (Airborne), is the largest combined airborne operation in the world. (U.S. Army photo/Timothy Hale)

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More than 1,600 paratroopers drop on Sicily Drop Zone during the 15th Annual Randy Oler Memorial Operation Toy Drop at Fort Bragg, N.C., Dec. 8, 2012. Soldiers donated a new, unwrapped toy yesterday at Pope Army Airfield's Green Ramp to earn a seat for today's jump and also the chance to earn airborne jump wings from participating allied nation jumpmasters. Toy Drop, hosted by the U.S. Army Civil Affairs & Psychological Operations Command (Airborne), is the largest combined airborne operation in the world. (U.S. Army photo/Timothy Hale)

A U.S. paratrooper lands on Sicily Drop Zone for the 15th Annual Randy Oler Memorial Operation Toy Drop, hosted by a U.S Army Reserve unit, The U.S. Army Civil Affairs & Psychological Operations Command (Airborne), Dec. 8, 2012, at Fort Bragg, N.C. Operation Toy Drop is the world's largest combined airborne operation and allows soldiers the opportunity to help less fortunate children everywhere receive toys for the holidays. (U.S. Army photo/Staff Sgt. Osvaldo Equite)

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A U.S. paratrooper lands on Sicily Drop Zone for the 15th Annual Randy Oler Memorial Operation Toy Drop, hosted by a U.S Army Reserve unit, The U.S. Army Civil Affairs & Psychological Operations Command (Airborne), Dec. 8, 2012, at Fort Bragg, N.C. Operation Toy Drop is the world's largest combined airborne operation and allows soldiers the opportunity to help less fortunate children everywhere receive toys for the holidays. (U.S. Army photo/Staff Sgt. Osvaldo Equite)

Paratroopers listen to instructions as they go through sustained airborne training during the 15th Annual Randy Oler Memorial Operation Toy Drop, hosted by a U.S. Army Reserve unit, The U.S. Army Civil Affairs & Psychological Operations Command (Airborne), Dec. 7, 2012, at Pope Field, N.C. Operation Toy Drop is the world’s largest combined airborne operation and allows soldiers the opportunity to help less fortunate children everywhere receive toys for the holidays. (U.S. Army photo/Staff Sgt. Sharilyn Wells)

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Paratroopers listen to instructions as they go through sustained airborne training during the 15th Annual Randy Oler Memorial Operation Toy Drop, hosted by a U.S. Army Reserve unit, The U.S. Army Civil Affairs & Psychological Operations Command (Airborne), Dec. 7, 2012, at Pope Field, N.C. Operation Toy Drop is the world’s largest combined airborne operation and allows soldiers the opportunity to help less fortunate children everywhere receive toys for the holidays. (U.S. Army photo/Staff Sgt. Sharilyn Wells)

Paratroopers board a C-17 aircraft during the 15th Annual Randy Oler Memorial Operation Toy Drop, hosted by a U.S. Army Reserve unit, The U.S. Army Civil Affairs & Psychological Operations Command (Airborne), Dec. 7, 2012, at Pope Field, N.C. Operation Toy Drop is the world's largest combined airborne operation and allows soldiers the opportunity to help less fortunate children everywhere receive toys for the holidays.
(U.S. Army photo/Staff Sgt. Sharilyn Wells)

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Paratroopers board a C-17 aircraft during the 15th Annual Randy Oler Memorial Operation Toy Drop, hosted by a U.S. Army Reserve unit, The U.S. Army Civil Affairs & Psychological Operations Command (Airborne), Dec. 7, 2012, at Pope Field, N.C. Operation Toy Drop is the world's largest combined airborne operation and allows soldiers the opportunity to help less fortunate children everywhere receive toys for the holidays. (U.S. Army photo/Staff Sgt. Sharilyn Wells)

U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III pilots prep their jet while wearing Santa hats before takeoff in support of the Randy Oler Memorial Operation Toy Drop on Fort Bragg, N.C., December 8, 2012. 2012 marks the 15th year for the Randy Oler Memorial Operation Toy Drop which collects toy donations for children and families in need and gives paratroopers the opportunity to jump with foreign jumpmasters. Soldiers donate a new toy in exchange to jump with a foreign jumpmaster and earn foreign jump wings. This year, OTD has expanded from its traditional focus around Fort Bragg, N.C. to select cities around the country. OTD is a Fort Bragg airborne tradition. Operation Toy Drop combines thousands of toys, Army paratroopers, hundreds of volunteers, dozens of allied military personnel, and more than a dozen Air Force aircraft, all for what has become the world's largest combined airborne operation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Matthew J. Bruch)

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U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III pilots prep their jet while wearing Santa hats before takeoff in support of the Randy Oler Memorial Operation Toy Drop on Fort Bragg, N.C., December 8, 2012. 2012 marks the 15th year for the Randy Oler Memorial Operation Toy Drop which collects toy donations for children and families in need and gives paratroopers the opportunity to jump with foreign jumpmasters. Soldiers donate a new toy in exchange to jump with a foreign jumpmaster and earn foreign jump wings. This year, OTD has expanded from its traditional focus around Fort Bragg, N.C. to select cities around the country. OTD is a Fort Bragg airborne tradition. Operation Toy Drop combines thousands of toys, Army paratroopers, hundreds of volunteers, dozens of allied military personnel, and more than a dozen Air Force aircraft, all for what has become the world's largest combined airborne operation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Matthew J. Bruch)

U.S. Army Soldiers jump from a U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft during a multinational static line airdrop mission with Uruguay Army jumpmasters during Operation Toy Drop Dec. 8, 2012 over Sicily drop zone, Ft. Bragg N.C. 2012 marks the 15th year for the Randy Oler Memorial Operation Toy Drop which collects toy donations for children and families in need and gives paratroopers the opportunity to jump with foreign jumpmasters. Soldiers donate a new toy in exchange to jump with a foreign jumpmaster and earn foreign jump wings. This year, OTD has expanded from its traditional focus around Fort Bragg, N.C. to select cities around the country. OTD is a Fort Bragg airborne tradition. Operation Toy Drop combines thousands of toys, Army paratroopers, hundreds of volunteers, dozens of allied military personnel, and more than a dozen Air Force aircraft … all for what has become the world’s largest combined airborne operation. ( U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jason Robertson)

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U.S. Army Soldiers jump from a U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft during a multinational static line airdrop mission with Uruguay Army jumpmasters during Operation Toy Drop Dec. 8, 2012 over Sicily drop zone, Ft. Bragg N.C. 2012 marks the 15th year for the Randy Oler Memorial Operation Toy Drop which collects toy donations for children and families in need and gives paratroopers the opportunity to jump with foreign jumpmasters. Soldiers donate a new toy in exchange to jump with a foreign jumpmaster and earn foreign jump wings. This year, OTD has expanded from its traditional focus around Fort Bragg, N.C. to select cities around the country. OTD is a Fort Bragg airborne tradition. Operation Toy Drop combines thousands of toys, Army paratroopers, hundreds of volunteers, dozens of allied military personnel, and more than a dozen Air Force aircraft … all for what has become the world’s largest combined airborne operation. ( U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jason Robertson)

U.S. Army paratroopers exfill the Sicily drop zone after jumping from an aircraft during Operation Toy Drop 2012 at Fort Bragg, N.C., Dec. 8, 2012. 2012 marks the 15th year for the Randy Oler Memorial Operation Toy Drop which collects toy donations for children and families in need and gives paratroopers the opportunity to jump with foreign jumpmasters. Soldiers donate a new toy in exchange to jump with a foreign jumpmaster and earn foreign jump wings. This year, OTD has expanded from its traditional focus around Fort Bragg, N.C. to select cities around the country. OTD is a Fort Bragg airborne tradition. Operation Toy Drop combines thousands of toys, Army paratroopers, hundreds of volunteers, dozens of allied military personnel, and more than a dozen Air Force aircraft, all for what has become the world's largest combined airborne operation.(U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jasmonet Jackson)

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U.S. Army paratroopers exfill the Sicily drop zone after jumping from an aircraft during Operation Toy Drop 2012 at Fort Bragg, N.C., Dec. 8, 2012. 2012 marks the 15th year for the Randy Oler Memorial Operation Toy Drop which collects toy donations for children and families in need and gives paratroopers the opportunity to jump with foreign jumpmasters. Soldiers donate a new toy in exchange to jump with a foreign jumpmaster and earn foreign jump wings. This year, OTD has expanded from its traditional focus around Fort Bragg, N.C. to select cities around the country. OTD is a Fort Bragg airborne tradition. Operation Toy Drop combines thousands of toys, Army paratroopers, hundreds of volunteers, dozens of allied military personnel, and more than a dozen Air Force aircraft, all for what has become the world's largest combined airborne operation.(U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jasmonet Jackson)

Uruguayan Army Sgt. Eduardo Olivares, awards Urauguayan jump wings to a U.S. Army paratrooper during Operation Toy Drop 2012 at Fort Bragg, N.C. 2012 marks the 15th year for the Randy Oler Memorial Operation Toy Drop which collects toy donations for children and families in need and gives paratroopers the opportunity to jump with foreign jumpmasters. Soldiers donate a new toy in exchange to jump with a foreign jumpmaster and earn foreign jump wings. This year, OTD has expanded from its traditional focus around Fort Bragg, NC to select cities around the country. OTD is a Fort Bragg airborne tradition. Operation Toy Drop combines thousands of toys, Army paratroopers, hundreds of volunteers, dozens of allied military personnel, and more than a dozen Air Force aircraft, all for what has become the world's largest combined airborne operation. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Master Sgt. Adrian Cadiz)

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Uruguayan Army Sgt. Eduardo Olivares, awards Urauguayan jump wings to a U.S. Army paratrooper during Operation Toy Drop 2012 at Fort Bragg, N.C. 2012 marks the 15th year for the Randy Oler Memorial Operation Toy Drop which collects toy donations for children and families in need and gives paratroopers the opportunity to jump with foreign jumpmasters. Soldiers donate a new toy in exchange to jump with a foreign jumpmaster and earn foreign jump wings. This year, OTD has expanded from its traditional focus around Fort Bragg, NC to select cities around the country. OTD is a Fort Bragg airborne tradition. Operation Toy Drop combines thousands of toys, Army paratroopers, hundreds of volunteers, dozens of allied military personnel, and more than a dozen Air Force aircraft, all for what has become the world's largest combined airborne operation. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Master Sgt. Adrian Cadiz)

U.S. Army paratroopers descend from a U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules during Operation Toy Drop 2012 at Fort Bragg, N.C., Dec. 8, 2012. 2012 marks the 15th year for the Randy Oler Memorial Operation Toy Drop which collects toy donations for children and families in need and gives paratroopers the opportunity to jump with foreign jumpmasters. Soldiers donate a new toy in exchange to jump with a foreign jumpmaster and earn foreign jump wings. This year, OTD has expanded from its traditional focus around Fort Bragg, N.C. to select cities around the country. OTD is a Fort Bragg airborne tradition. Operation Toy Drop combines thousands of toys, Army paratroopers, hundreds of volunteers, dozens of allied military personnel, and more than a dozen Air Force aircraft, all for what has become the world's largest combined airborne operation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Barry A. Loo)

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U.S. Army paratroopers descend from a U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules during Operation Toy Drop 2012 at Fort Bragg, N.C., Dec. 8, 2012. 2012 marks the 15th year for the Randy Oler Memorial Operation Toy Drop which collects toy donations for children and families in need and gives paratroopers the opportunity to jump with foreign jumpmasters. Soldiers donate a new toy in exchange to jump with a foreign jumpmaster and earn foreign jump wings. This year, OTD has expanded from its traditional focus around Fort Bragg, N.C. to select cities around the country. OTD is a Fort Bragg airborne tradition. Operation Toy Drop combines thousands of toys, Army paratroopers, hundreds of volunteers, dozens of allied military personnel, and more than a dozen Air Force aircraft, all for what has become the world's largest combined airborne operation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Barry A. Loo)

U.S. Army Soldiers from Ft. Bragg board a C-130 Hercules during Operation Toy Drop at Pope Army Air Field, N.C., December 8, 2012. 2012 marks the 15th year for the Randy Oler Memorial Operation Toy Drop which collects toy donations for children and families in need and gives paratroopers the opportunity to jump with foreign jumpmasters. Soldiers donate a new toy in exchange to jump with a foreign jumpmaster and earn foreign jump wings. This year, OTD has expanded from its traditional focus around Fort Bragg, NC to select cities around the country. OTD is a Fort Bragg airborne tradition. Operation Toy Drop combines thousands of toys, Army paratroopers, hundreds of volunteers, dozens of allied military personnel, and more than a dozen Air Force aircraft, all for what has become the world's largest combined airborne operation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman James Richardson)

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U.S. Army Soldiers from Ft. Bragg board a C-130 Hercules during Operation Toy Drop at Pope Army Air Field, N.C., December 8, 2012. 2012 marks the 15th year for the Randy Oler Memorial Operation Toy Drop which collects toy donations for children and families in need and gives paratroopers the opportunity to jump with foreign jumpmasters. Soldiers donate a new toy in exchange to jump with a foreign jumpmaster and earn foreign jump wings. This year, OTD has expanded from its traditional focus around Fort Bragg, NC to select cities around the country. OTD is a Fort Bragg airborne tradition. Operation Toy Drop combines thousands of toys, Army paratroopers, hundreds of volunteers, dozens of allied military personnel, and more than a dozen Air Force aircraft, all for what has become the world's largest combined airborne operation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman James Richardson)

DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. -- Aircrews and C-130s took off from Dobbins Air Reserve Base Dec. 7 to join up to eight other aircrews and approximately 6,000 paratroopers from around the world as part of the 15th Annual Randy Oler Operation Toy Drop over Fort Bragg, N.C.

The operation is hailed as the world's largest combined airborne operation, according to Maj. James Light, 700th Aerial Squadron, 94th Airlift Wing C-130 instructor pilot and mission commander. Airframes from multiple bases will drop hundreds of paratroopers and distribute an estimated 20,000 toys to children in need Dec. 7-8.

"It's a great feeling to be able to help children in need out, especially during the holiday season," said Light. "For us, we get a lot of training out of it. We will be flying multi-ship formations with Guard, Reserve and Active Duty. We have some young Airmen who have never dropped personnel before."

For the 94th AW and Light, this will be their third year participating in the toy drop. The wing's aircrews have a diverse group as far as toy drop experience goes. Capt. Jonathan Lester, 700 AS C-130 pilot will be an aircraft commander for one of the Dobbins airframes and will be completing his first toy drop.

"Overall, there will be about 6,000 paratroopers, and we hope to be able to drop about 2,000 of them," said Lester "Not only is this a great opportunity for our guys, but it's also an opportunity for the paratroopers to jump with foreign jump masters and earn foreign jump wings."

Seven nations are participating in the 2012 Operation Toy Drop: Italy, Germany, Canada, Uruguay, Chile, Brazil, and the Netherlands, according to Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command officials. Operation Toy Drop combines thousands of toys, Army paratroopers, hundreds of volunteers, dozens of allied military personnel, and more than a dozen Air Force aircraft.

This is all for one reason - to ensure children in need have a reason to smile this holiday season.