Throughout Exchange history, Santa Claus has helped the Exchange bring the comforts of home to service members and their families, sometimes arriving in unusual ways. Here’s a selection of Santa photos from the Exchange Post archives.
Circa 1951: Santa helps a Soldier shopping at a mobile showroom in Korea set up by the Japan Central Exchange during the Korean War. Operation Santa Claus allowed troops in Korea to order gifts for families and friends. Volunteers in Japan wrapped and mailed the gifts.
1962: Santa gets assistance loading a giant Christmas tree aboard a US Air Force C-130 bound for India from Wiesbaden Air Base in Germany. The tree was a gift from Air Forces Europe Exchange (AFEX) headquarters in Wiesbaden to airmen on duty with the Indian government at New Delhi.
1962: Santa makes a switch from reindeer for an appearance at an AFEX Exchange in Libya.
1964: Santa and Col. Edward A. Crouchley, commander of the 4082th Air Base Group, preside at the grand opening of Goose Air Base, Labrador, Toyland.
1972: Santa arrives in style for the Toyland opening at Thailand Regional Exchange Headquarters in Bangkok.
1977: Santa arrives by boat in Karamursel, Turkey, where he would ride a base firetruck to visit the Exchange.
1982: Exchange Pacific Headquarters and the Hawaii Area Exchange continue a tradition of Christmas support at the Waimano Training School and Hospital. The clown is associate Cheryl Moore and Santa Claus is associate David Rodrigues.
1979: Fort Lewis Exchange associates help provide food for needy families in their area of Washington State. Rather than do their traditional gift exchange among one another, the Fort Lewis team donated food for less fortunate families, calling Salvation Army Headquarters in Tacoma to get names of families that needed assistance. Santa was played by associate Pat Hagan.
1984: Santa arrives at Torrejon AB in Spain, once again using transportation other than a sleigh.
Source: Exchange Post archives
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