Letters from Santa

Combat weather flight airmen stationed at EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska each year help Santa send out thousands of signed, North Pole-postmarked letters to children worldwide. The Santa’s Mailbag program started in 1954 by 58th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron airmen, and has been carried on by those of the 354th Operations Support Squadron.

Each year, the unit receives thousands of Dear Santa Claus letters and Christmas-wish lists. Volunteers in the 15-person unit sort and read the letters, select an appropriate reply from Santa Claus, and mail the letters with an official North Pole postmark.