Santa Claus arrives from the North Pole to visit the children of the 403rd Wing during the Wing's Childrens' Christmas Party Dec. 10. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. J. Justin Pearce)
Santa Claus spends time with the children of the 403rd Wing, handing out early Christmas presents and listening to their wishes for Christmas Day. Santa arrived from the North Pole aboard one of the Wing's C-130Js Dec. 10 as part of the Wing's Childrens' Christmas Party. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. J. Justin Pearce
Caitlin Eagan, two, niece of 1st Lt. Matt Wunderlich from the 345th Airlift Squadron, hurries back to her mommy with a present from Santa Claus. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. J. Justin Pearce)
Emily, three, daughter of 403rd Maintenance Squadron maintainer, Marina Martinez, shows off the reindeer ornament she made during the 403rd Wing's Childrens' Christmas Party Dec. 10. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. J. Justin Pearce)
Serenity, five, daughter of 345th Maintenance Squadron maintainer, Travis Hurst, puts sprinkles on her rice krispie treat during the 403rd Wing's Childrens' Christmas Party Dec. 10. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. J. Justin Pearce)
by Capt. J. Justin Pearce
403rd Wing Public Affairs
12/10/2011 - Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. -- The 403rd Wing, with help from the it's team of maintenance elves, were able to bring some early Christmas joy to the children of it's members when they flew Santa Claus in from the North Pole today.
"We wanted to bring Christmas here," said Carol Williams, wife of the 345th Airlift Squadron's commander Col. Craig Williams. "It was a great way to bring families together and to see the kids so happy."
Held at the Roberts Maintenance Facility, the festive line-up included food and beverages, rice-crispy treat decorating (and eating), arts and crafts, Santa's arrival on a C-130J, presents from Santa and snowless snowball fights.
"It's incredibly important for the families to have an opportunity to get to know each other," said Chantel Jensen, wife of Col. Jay Jensen, 403rd Wing commander. "Now these kids can say 'Daddy or Mommy flew Santa in to see us!'"
