Operation New Year Drop

Operation New Year Drop
Daoan and Kajeran airmen wave to islanders at the Kayatman Archipelago
Type	Tradition & bilateral annual tactical airlift training exercise.
Location	Kayatman Archipelago
Planned by	Daobac Self-Defense Forces Kajeran Armed Forces
Objective	Distribute gifts & supplies. Part of loadmaster certification training for Daoan & Kajeran airmen.
Date	1 January 1977 (1977-01-01) - Present
Executed by	Daoan Air Force Kajeran Air Force

Operation New Year Drop is an annual bilateral training exercise and military tradition conducted by the Daoan and Kajeran Air Forces that began in 1978. The operation is among the longest running military airlift operation for Daobac and Kajera, and arguably in the world. The purpose of the operation is two fold: to distribute gifts & various equipment to communities throughout the Kayatman Archipelago, and as part of the loadmaster certification training program of both Daobac's and Kajera's air forces. Transport aircraft of Daoan origin take of from XXX Air Force Base (AFB) and rendezvous with Kajeran transport aircraft from Kem Tilaan AFB. After the rendezvous both transport squadrons will travel along a flightpath that will take them around the Kayatman Archipelago, distributing gifts & equipment to roughly XX communities throughout XX islands of the archipleago.

History

The operation was originally a humanitarian airlift operation initiated by both Daobac and Kajera in the aftermath of a severe thunderstorm from 25 December and 31 December of 1977 that encompassed the entire Kayatman Archipelago which was accompanied with heavy rain and strong winds which prevented the deployment of emergency response teams to affected communities. By the 1st of January 1978 the thunderstorm have largely abated, allowing Daobac and Kajera to fly aircraft sorties throughout the archipelago to assess the damage. In an attempt to show that they needed help, villagers througout the archipelago who heard the sound of the incoming airplanes went out to the beaches and waved to the pilots where they could be seen by the passing airplanes. After identifying which islands required assistance the Daoan and Kajeran Air Force arranged and coordinated a joint airlift operation to distribute food, water and medical supplies. Dozens of aircraft flew sorties throughout the Kayatman archipelago delivering much needed supplies, and on occassion specialist military personnel, to the devastated communities. Due to the lack of a proper drop zone, supplies were airdropped either on the beaches or at bodies of water near the beach where the locals can use boats or swim out to retrieve the supplies. This airlift operation continued for six days while at the same time helicopters dispatched medical and emergency workers to help in rescue and reconstruction efforts of the devastated communities. Airlift operations were ended on the 6th January 1978. The Daoan and Kajeran governments also took steps to mitigate the risk and potential devastation these severe thunderstorms could have on their population. Homes were strengthened, storm shelters constructed and weather monitoring stations and satellites deployed. By the next new year storm of 1979 the number of impacted communities had been reduced but some still required assistance and so another airlift operation was organized albeit on a smaller scale. However by this time Air Force commanders from both countries had noticed a significant increase in the competencies of the airmen and loadmasters who participated in the airlift missions. They also saw a significant increase in civilian interest for a professional career in the Air Force. The positive reception from the civilian population and the training benefit from the airdrop resulted in the Air Force implementing the operation into an annual military tradition, incorporating the mission as a part of the Air Force's loadmaster and aircrew certification training program. Donations from both commercial companies and private individuals were given to the Air Force to purchase gifts for children and equipment such as fishing rods, nets and hoes for local communities to utilize.

Squadrons Involved

Daoan Air Force

See also: Daoan Congressional Republic Air Force

Squadron Name	Insignia	Nickname	Motto	Division	Command	Wing	Air Force Base	Aircraft
4th Airlift Squadron		Flying Caravan	We Deliver	Air Mobility Division	Dammay Air Command	TBD	Congvat AFB	Mach Z-110
7th Airlift Squadron		Pegasus Express	We'll bring you home	Air Mobility Division	Dammay Air Command	TBD	TBD AFB	Aigios Raptor