Operation Toy Store

Gallery Article by Dave Bailey aka The Rat on Dec 24 2016

  Christmas Eve 

 

      

“Can’t see anything skipper, not a thing!” The Second Officer’s voice was taught and strained, like the eyes that were searching for any visual clues.

Darkness and blowing snow, a nasty combination when you’re walking, but even worse when you’re trying to land over 700,000 pounds of aircraft on a temporary runway made of ice. The word ‘dangerous’ was invented for this highly secret mission, and it would take all his skills, and then some, for the pilot to accomplish it.

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“THERE!” shouted the S.O., and he pointed about ten degrees to starboard. Two lines of twinkling lights stretched out toward the darkness, and a gentle turned lined the huge aircraft up between them. Throttles were reduced, and flaps extended…

Very few people were privy to what was transpiring, and the general public would never have believed it. But here was a C-5 galaxy loaded with toys. Various logistical problems had created a shortage at a secret location near the North Pole, and the Air Force had stepped up with the amount needed. “Can’t disappoint all the children”, the President had said, “They’re future voters!”

For this flight the aircraft had been ceremoniously repainted in brown overall, with a large red nose. The maintenance crews may have been sworn to secrecy, but there were no orders saying that they couldn’t have fun.

The tires impacted with a thud, instead of the normal screech, and four powerful thrust reversers were brought to bear. Once stopped, many small and gaily dressed individuals swarmed into the cargo deck, grabbing items and scurrying back out to the waiting reindeer that were to carry them back to the distribution point a short distance away.

Sipping a mug of steaming hot chocolate as he watched, a smile crept across his face. The most difficult part was over, and he would soon be taking his aircraft and crew back home. 'Christmas dinner next week', he thought, 'and I can be proud to have made the day a success.'

Colonel Rudolph Deere was pleased.

Dave Bailey

Photos and text © by Dave Bailey