COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Santa Claus traded in his sleigh and reindeer for a T-1A Jayhawk Dec. 6 to visit Columbus Air Force Base.
Piloted by Capts. Christian Litscher, 14th Operations Group Commander’s Action Group, and Michael Lewis, 48th Flying Training Squadron Chief Programmer, the team arrived at Base Operations and was greeted by families from the base.
Santa then hopped on a fire truck from the 14th Civil Engineer Squadron and led the way to the Chapel Annex where members of Team BLAZE were ready to see the base Christmas tree lit up.
Once everyone gathered around the tree, Col. William Denham, 14th Flying Training Wing Vice Commander, gave some remarks.
“Tonight we kick off our holiday celebrations,” Denham said. “What we do for each other, how we invest in our community on and off base, demonstrates our selflessness and service before self.”
Per tradition, the family of a deployed member lit the tree. Following the tree lighting, numerous activities took place, the first being a cookie competition judged by Denham in which the 14th Wing Staff Agencies team won.
Children also had the opportunity to have their photo taken with Santa in the Kaye Auditorium. Cookies and drinks were also provided by various base organizations, and the Caledonia 5th grade Choir performed Christmas carols during the event.
“I’ve done so many of these things in my span of service and it keeps getting better over time,” said Capt. Tara Dixon, 14th Flying Training Wing Chaplain and one of the many organizers of this event. “There is something about the holidays that makes people happy.”
Dixon said this was a base wide event and many organizations helped put it together including the 14th Operations Group, 14th Communications Squadron, 14th Security Forces Squadron, the 14th CES, base spouses and many other volunteers.