2015 military holiday images

“Staff Sgt. Andre Hayes, a 374th Civil Engineer Squadron journeyman, holds his daughter during the holiday tree lighting ceremony at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Nov. 24, 2015. The lighting of the tree signals the beginning of the holiday season.” (photo/Airman 1st Class Delano Scott)

“Alaska National Guard Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus wave as they exit an Alaska Air National Guard C-130 in St. Mary, Alaska on Dec. 5, 2015. The Claus’ visit was part of Operation Santa Claus, a nonprofit organization partnered with the Alaska National Guard to collect toys, school supplies and food staples, and deliver them to school children in Alaska’s remote communities.” (photo by Capt. John Callahan.)

“New Jersey National Guard United States Air Force Reserve Maj. Menashe Miller, second from right, a chaplain, watches his sons light the fourth candle on the Menorah — one for each day of Hanukkah during a candle lighting ceremony at the Main Base Chapel, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., Dec. 9, 2015. “(photo by Master Sgt. Mark C. Olsen/)

D.C.–“First lady Michelle Obama helps sort toys for the Marine Corps Foundation’s Toys for Tots drive for the sixth straight year at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling on Dec. 9, 2015.”

ARLINGTON, Va. (Air Force News Service, Dec. 14, 2015)

Over 200,000 Americans are serving overseas. Holiday images posted online by the DoD are fewer this year but I’m sure traditions are still being observed globally on bases. To read the rest of theDoD press release below click (LINK).

“WASHINGTON, December 22, 2015 — Thousands of U.S. service members and Defense Department civilians are serving around the world during the holidays to protect America, its interests and its allies.

Around 9,800 Americans are deployed to Afghanistan. And roughly 3,500 Americans are deployed to Iraq and Syria to assist in the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. The Army’s 82nd Airborne Division forms the nucleus of the deployment there.

All told, there will be roughly 220,000 American service members serving overseas this holiday season. They operate in more than 100 countries, on every continent.”

And then there are those who are super-deployed..…