Christmas with the "Fightin' 49ers"

  • Published
  • By the 49th Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Over the last eight decades, the men and women of the 49th Wing have spent the holidays in numerous and often austere locations, from Korea, New Guinea, France, Japan, Germany and Southwest Asia. Despite the difficult conditions, combat environments and separation from friends and family, the "Fightin' 49ers" always found a way to set aside time to continue holiday traditions associated with the season.

Though the battlefield has changed over the years, the 49ers never lost their willingness to bear the burdens of freedom for Americans.

1941 - The 49th Pursuit Group's first Christmas was perhaps the most pivotal in 49er history. A little more than two weeks after the surprise Japanese bombing of the Hawaiian Islands, the men of the 49th awaited orders as rumors abounded to the fate of the group and its participation in the coming war. At the time, the 49th was stationed at Morrison Field, Fla., training with the P-40 "Warhawk."

On Christmas night, the group received the present it had been nervously awaiting -- orders to depart Morrison Field. Although the 49th was instructed to pack all equipment and personal items immediately, group members were not told of their destination. This fed speculation, which centered around the 49th moving to the Panama Canal Zone. However, within two weeks, the 49ers would travel via troop trains to the San Francisco Port of Embarkation, for eventual deployment to the South Pacific.

1942 - The 49th's first Christmas overseas, while stationed at Port Moresby, New Guinea, was a relatively uneventful day in the midst of a combat filled year. The group's diary noted, "Anything could have happened. But nothing did."

The United States Army Air Forces sent a special provision of food for the holidays to its units. On a rainy Christmas day, the 49th enjoyed, "Ham and eggs for breakfast. Ham and all the trimmings for dinner and roast beef with all the trimmings for supper." The day's menu also included fresh milk, real butter, fruit and coffee.

However, on Dec. 26, the group returned "to the reality of war in New Guinea and rations which definitely left much to be desired," the journal stated. Not only did the 49ers have to return to the reality of war rations but fighting resumed the same day, after two weeks of relative calm. By Christmas 1943, the 49ers recorded 96 aerial victories, 32 each for the 7th, 8th, and 9th Fighter Squadrons.

1951 - At Taegu Air Base, Korea, the 49th spent Christmas 1951 hoping for an armistice but prepared for increased hostilities.

The 49th had recently completed its transition from the F-80 "Shooting Star" to the F-84 "Thunderbolt" after fighting for 18 months in the Korean War.

Col. Robert J. Rogers, 49th Fighter-Bomber Wing commander, made a concerted effort to make the holiday special for his men. Colonel Rogers, with help from personnel at Misawa Air Base, Japan, instituted "Operation Giftlift." This airlift brought gifts, food and a special Christmas show to the 49ers. By Dec. 31, the 49th had accumulated more than 30,000 sorties in Korea.

1969 - In 1969, the 49th Tactical Fighter Wing celebrated its second Christmas at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. Over the course of the year, the 49th completed its second Crested Cap deployment, supporting its NATO commitment. For the deployment and redeployment of 72 F-4 aircraft, the 49th received the 1969 Mackay Trophy.

"The Rocketeer", Holloman's newspaper, ran a number of adds advertising holiday specials in the Alamogordo community: chuck roast sold for 54 cents a pound, a set of four Firestone tires cost $49.95 and a 1969 Chevy Camaro Sport Coupe sold for $2,945. Movies in the base theater included "Tony Rome" starring Frank Sinatra, "Hellfighter" with John Wayne; and George C. Scott and Richard Chamberlain in "Petulia".

1997 - The 8th Fighter Squadron deployed 12 F-117 Nighthawks and more than 220 people to Kuwait in Nov. 1997 to take part in Operation Southern Watch. The Iraqi government was prohibiting United Nation inspectors access to suspected weapon sites, while also threatening to shoot down any U.S. aircraft that violated Iraqi airspace. Military engagements in Southern Watch occurred with regularity, though they were usually only reported in the press occasionally. Enforcing UN resolutions and serving as a warning to the nation of Iraq, the 8th continued to serve through Christmas and into the new year.

Celebrating their own way, the 8th held a Christmas party in the aircraft hangar. Lt. Col. Gary Woltering, 8th FS commander recalled the event, "We brought in pizzas, had computers set up to email home and to play computer games. There were door prizes with little things for everyday life to give away and we just generally enjoyed the camaraderie and togetherness of a squadron deployed over 8,000 miles away from home. We also made a video of our day-to-day life at the base and mailed it home. Video was played at the 8th FS Christmas party last year - my wife said you could have heard a pin drop throughout the video."

2002-Present - The 49th (Fighter) Wing took part in the Global War on Terror by taking part in anti-terror related activities in Africa, Afghanistan and Iraq. In support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom a number of "Fightin' 49ers" were away from their families during Christmas. In 2010, Col. David Krumm, the first 49th Wing commander, encouraged Team Holloman members to take a few moments to reflect on the value their gift of service brings to every man, woman, and child in America and around the globe.

"Your service to our country makes America the greatest country in the world," he said. "It is my honor and privilege to serve with each and every one of you here at Holloman."