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Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia. (December 23, 2023): In this photo by MC1 Cameron Stoner, Information Systems Technician (Submarine) 1st Class Macon Kirk, assigned to the Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Washington, embraces his family during the boat’s homecoming just before Christmas. The Washington is returning from a lengthy deployment of over 37,000 miles that included diplomatic visits to Scotland and Norway.
Nicknamed the “Black Fish” after the Native American word for the Orca, the Washington spent the most time “on-station” than any east coast deployment on record, six months under the waves.
Life aboard a fast-attack submarine certainly isn’t for everyone. Deploying for months at a time with little or no contact with home, let alone fresh air, is hard on Sailors and families, especially during holidays,.
When they put to sea, Sailors enter a twilight zone of endless routines, eighteen hour “days,” and virtually no contact with home. On a boat like the Washington, space is at a premium for the 120-person crew. Sailors are stacked three high and often must share bunks with a fellow crew member who is on duty. One’s only privacy comes from a thin curtain and a small locker for personal belongings. The crew must constantly be ready for various “casualties,” such as fires or flooding, and they sleep and work in shifts. A “day” underway lasts 18 hours split into three six-hour shifts, one each for training, duty, and sleep.
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San Antonio, Texas. (December 24, 2023): One of the best ways to share the joys of Christmas is through beautiful music delivered in high style. In this photo by David Amaral, members of the Air Force Band of the West perform their “Holiday in Blue” concert for a delighted audience at the Majestic Theater.
The Air Force Band of the West is headquartered at Travis Air Force Base, California and is the only active-duty band serving California, Washington, Oregon, Arizona, and Nevada. The 60-member band also performs for audiences at 13 Air Force Bases, 8 Air Force Reserve Wings, and six recruiting squadrons.
The unit has several talented performance groups in addition to its Concert Band including marching band, jazz ensemble, and a woodwind quintet. The unit also provides solo vocalists to sing the national anthem and buglers to play Taps at military funerals. Throughout the year, the organization conducts over 250 performances for up to 1.5 million listeners.
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Suffolk, England. (December 22, 2023): In this photo by Airman 1st Class Katie Mullikin, Air Force Senior Airman Storm Dillard with the 100th Communications Squadron helps a Beck Row Primary Academy student communicate over land mobile radios during “Radio Santa”, an annual event to help kids talk to Santa. Each year, Airmen volunteer their time at local schools surrounding Royal Air Force Mildenhall during the holidays.
If any unit can successfully reach Santa, it is the 100th Communications Squadron.
These squadrons, the “eyes and ears” of the Air Force, maintain sophisticated communication and surveillance systems for air wings. These technicians are experts at all manner of voice, data, and satellite communications, They also manage some of America’s most sensitive surveillance data. The 100th is part of U.S. Air Forces Europe that comprises 10,000 personnel distributed across six major air bases throughout the country. America established permanent bases in England after the defeat of the Nazis. America’s presence represents our continuing commitment to NATO and the defense of freedom.
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Swietoszow, Poland. (December 21, 2023): In this photo by Sergeant Demetrysean Lewis, Specialist Jack Lingenfelter, a motor transport operator assigned to Kentucky’s National Guard 2113th Transportation Company, plays Santa while collecting high fives from local Polish children. Specialist Lingenfelter and his comrades chose to volunteer their off time to entertain children in local schools during the holidays. To them, it’s just part of being a good neighbor. Throughout the visit, the Soldiers gave out gift bags, and listened to the students sing Christmas songs. A bonus was that students got a chance to practice their English language skills with their American guests.
These 2113th Transportation Company soldiers are in Poland as part of the U.S. military buildup after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Today, units like the Kentucky National Guard rotate throughout the year and the American military has recently established its first permanent presence in the country. The U.S. 5th Corp will be based in the City of Poznan to coordinate the activities of Army forces from the Baltics to Bulgaria. The garrison now oversees a dozen different sites across Poland while deploying some 10,000 troops on a rotational basis.
Of course, equally important are the bonds developed between the average G.I. and the host population whose support is just as vital to the mission. For these Kentucky National Guard soldiers, the reward lies in the delighted eyes of children in the joy of Christmas.
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Naval Hospital Bremerton, Washington. (December 12, 2023): To many Americans, Father Christmas and Santa Clause are one and the same. History, however, tells a different story. In this photo by Douglas Stutz, Father Christmas is surrounded by hospital staff as they gather for a tree lighting ceremony to commemorate the trilogy of light, faith, and hope that embodies the holiday season. What many do not know is that Father Christmas and Santa Claus are entirely separate people with distinct histories.
The legend of Father Christmas goes back centuries and was first introduced to England after the Norman invasion in 1066. Originally a pagan figure celebrated by adults, Father Christmas became centered on the welfare of children during the Victorian Era. Legend has it that a local merchant, to gain the attention of a fair maiden, began dropping gold coins down her chimney thus beginning the legend of Father Christmas delivering presents that way. The trimming of trees and decorating houses with holly can also be traced to this era as can the practice of placing a star or angel atop the Christmas tree.
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Naples, Italy (December 15, 2023): The American Forces Network has something special for America’s armed forces and their families serving overseas this season. In this photo by MC1 Donavan K. Patubo, MC3 Joe Cardona broadcasts a monthly talk show as part of AFN’s worldwide communication network that serves over 350,000 servicemembers. Through its satellite service, Direct-to-Sailor, AFN will broadcast special holiday programming to Navy ships at sea around the world.
This year, AFN has created a diverse mix of entertainment for television, radio, and streaming services and will include such holiday classics as "It's a Wonderful Life”, “A Christmas Story," and" Home Alone." In a tradition that began in 1942, the AFN network will broadcast holiday music to local and regional audiences via its 24 military broadcast stations around the globe.
The AFN wants to ring in the holiday by providing good cheer and heartwarming entertainment for America’s servicemembers serving far from home this holiday season.