Team Travis to take treats to Iraqi children

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Matthew McGovern
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Operation Candy Drop, a drive to collect and deliver Halloween candy to Iraqi children by U.S. military members, will happen Nov. 1 and 2.

The drive sponsors, Bare Base Boots and Global Gladiator Booster Clubs will be accepting Halloween candy donations at drop sites throughout Travis and schools within neighboring communities.

"Our aim is to enrich our children's lives by allowing them an opportunity to experience the gift of giving," said Lori Welch, drive spokesperson. "Their donation will be delivered into the hands of the Iraqi children by U.S. military members as a show of goodwill from the members of Travis and the local community."

So far, the idea is spreading. Volunteers are hoping to deliver candy on a grand scale.

"Operation Candy Drop has been overwhelmingly welcomed by so many," Welch said.
"We started with the expectation of having one drop site at the Airmen and Family Readiness Center, now we have 13 drop sites."

"This idea of reaching out and touching the hearts and minds of the Iraqi children is becoming very contagious, especially when we are instilling it in our own children," she added.

In addition to Iraq, Operation Candy Drop will be distributing candy to two other U.S. military locations in Southwest Asia.

"Operation Candy Drop could help change the younger generation's attitude between America and Iraq." Welch said. "It is hard to say how many countless Iraqi children will benefit from this drive."

The inspiration for the candy drive came about because of the actions of 'The Candy Bomber.' Col. Gail Halvorsen (retired), a Berlin Airlift pilot who delivered candy to children via parachute at the end of World War II.

His grandson, Airman 1st Class Ryan Williams, USAF Band of the Golden West, is a volunteer coordinating candy drop-off points at Scandia Elementary School.

According to Airman Williams, Colonel Halvorsen, a lieutenant at the time, didn't tell anyone about his candy drops for fear he'd get in trouble.

"Then, he was called into his commander's office and asked what he was doing," Airman Williams said. "He replied 'Flying, sir.' His commander asked again, and received the same response. He then pulled out a newspaper with a picture of Colonel Halvorsen's plane and tiny parachutes trailing behind. Apparently, a newspaper reporter narrowly escaped being hit on the head with a chocolate bar."

Airman Williams added that his grandfather's commander wasn't happy about it, but it was just the kind of gesture that the operation needed.

"It was dubbed "Operation Little Vittles," Airman Williams said. "It continued, and many C-54 pilots participated. In the end, over three tons of candy were dropped with little handkerchief parachutes over Berlin, some even in the Soviet sector."

For this simple kindhearted gesture, Colonel Halvorsen became the most recognized pilot of the Berlin Airlift.

"This event at Travis is something else. Tell the organizers how much I like their idea. Super!" Colonel Halvorsen said. 

The volunteers plan to send the candy via the United States Postal Service with money they have already raised.

To contribute to Operation Candy Drop, bring Halloween candy to any one of the following collection sites Nov. 1 and 2:

-- Airmen and Family Readiness Center
-- Child Development Centers
-- David Grant USAF Medical Center's dining facility
-- Family Childcare Office
-- Youth Center
-- Scandia Elementary School
-- Travis Elementary School.
-- Foxboro Elementary School (Vacaville)
-- Vacaville Christian School