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1 / 5 HIDE CAPTION – Members of the U.S. Army Parachute Team, the Black Knights, the U.S. Army Special Operations Command Parachute Team, The Black Daggers and Dutch Jumpmasters conduct a military free fall airborne operation from a C-27 during Operation Toy Drop at Camp Mackall, N.C., Dec. 10, 2015. Hosted by U.S. Army Civil Affairs & Psychological Operations Command (Airborne), Operation Toy Drop is the world's largest combined airborne operation with seven partner nation paratroopers participating and allows Soldiers the opportunity to help children in need everywhere receive toys for the holidays. (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Alex Manne) VIEW ORIGINAL 
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2 / 5 HIDE CAPTION – U.S. and foreign paratroopers jump from a C-17 during Operation Toy Drop XIX Dec., 10 at Luzon drop zone at Camp Mackall, N.C. During OTD U.S. paratroopers have the chance to train with jumpmasters from other nations, learn about their training tactics, and expand their experience working with partner nations. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Spc. Tynisha L. Daniel) (Photo Credit: Spc. Tynisha Daniel) VIEW ORIGINAL 
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3 / 5 HIDE CAPTION – U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Daniel Ammerman the Commanding General of U.S. Army Civil Affairs & Psychological Operations Command (Airborne) receives Singapore jump wings during Operation Toy Drop XIX Dec. 10, at Luzon drop zone at Camp Mackall, N.C. Maj. Gen. Ammerman is one of 4,000 paratroopers participating in OTD XIX. OTD is the world's largest annual joint and combined airborne operation and collective training. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Tynisha L. Daniel) (Photo Credit: Spc. Tynisha Daniel) VIEW ORIGINAL 
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4 / 5 HIDE CAPTION – U.S. Army paratroopers Soldiers stand in line with their toys nearly 12 hours before the event in hopes of receiving a lucky lottery number during Operation Toy Drop XIX Dec., 9 at Green Ramp at Fort Bragg N.C. An estimated over, 1,000 toys were donated during OTD. As the largest combined airborne operation, this philanthropic organization has put smiles on the faces of families and children since 1989. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Spc. Dustin Smith) (Photo Credit: Spc. Dustin Smith) VIEW ORIGINAL 
FORT BRAGG, N.C. ( December 23, 2016) -- Every year U.S. and international service members conduct a joint airborne operation that provides toys to children who might otherwise not have any waiting for them under their tree on Christmas morning.
Founded by Sgt. 1st Class Randy Oler in 1998, the Operation Toy Drop is also an annual training exercise that prepares Soldiers to support the military in theaters of operation around the world. Each December at Fort Bragg, U.S. and foreign paratroopers gather to conduct the charitable training and airborne operation.
In the years since the event's founding, more than 100,000 toys have been donated.
"[The operation] requires that Soldiers use their basic soldier's skills and functional abilities to remain combat ready," said Maj. Gen. Daniel Ammerman, commanding general, Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne).
The operation combines the efforts of active and Reserve support units of the Army and Air Force with those of foreign jumpmasters and civilian service organizations. It is an opportunity for U.S. Soldiers to train side-by-side with foreign partners, while also expanding their own experience and knowledge in airborne operations.
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1 / 5 HIDE CAPTION – Members of the U.S. Army Parachute Team, the Black Knights, the U.S. Army Special Operations Command Parachute Team, The Black Daggers and Dutch Jumpmasters conduct a military free fall airborne operation from a C-27 during Operation Toy Drop at Camp Mackall, N.C., Dec. 10, 2015. Hosted by U.S. Army Civil Affairs & Psychological Operations Command (Airborne), Operation Toy Drop is the world's largest combined airborne operation with seven partner nation paratroopers participating and allows Soldiers the opportunity to help children in need everywhere receive toys for the holidays. (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Alex Manne) VIEW ORIGINAL no-repeat -131px -50px;"> no-repeat -138px -50px;">
2 / 5 HIDE CAPTION – U.S. and foreign paratroopers jump from a C-17 during Operation Toy Drop XIX Dec., 10 at Luzon drop zone at Camp Mackall, N.C. During OTD U.S. paratroopers have the chance to train with jumpmasters from other nations, learn about their training tactics, and expand their experience working with partner nations. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Spc. Tynisha L. Daniel) (Photo Credit: Spc. Tynisha Daniel) VIEW ORIGINAL no-repeat -131px -50px;"> no-repeat -138px -50px;">
3 / 5 HIDE CAPTION – U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Daniel Ammerman the Commanding General of U.S. Army Civil Affairs & Psychological Operations Command (Airborne) receives Singapore jump wings during Operation Toy Drop XIX Dec. 10, at Luzon drop zone at Camp Mackall, N.C. Maj. Gen. Ammerman is one of 4,000 paratroopers participating in OTD XIX. OTD is the world's largest annual joint and combined airborne operation and collective training. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Tynisha L. Daniel) (Photo Credit: Spc. Tynisha Daniel) VIEW ORIGINAL It is the largest annual combined joint training and airborne operation in the military, according to Ammerman.
"I have been a part of Operation Toy Drop since its inception with Randy [the founder]. We were friends for many years," said William B. Wellbrock a retired Master Sgt. with the Air Force.
Even after Oler's passing in 2004, Operation Toy Drop has continued, thanks to the efforts of his Family, friends and the military. The operation is now in its 19th iteration.
"There are highlights in your military career where you work with great people," Wellbrock said. "One of my highlights was meeting Randy and working with him on Operation Toy Drop."
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1 / 5 HIDE CAPTION – Members of the U.S. Army Parachute Team, the Black Knights, the U.S. Army Special Operations Command Parachute Team, The Black Daggers and Dutch Jumpmasters conduct a military free fall airborne operation from a C-27 during Operation Toy Drop at Camp Mackall, N.C., Dec. 10, 2015. Hosted by U.S. Army Civil Affairs & Psychological Operations Command (Airborne), Operation Toy Drop is the world's largest combined airborne operation with seven partner nation paratroopers participating and allows Soldiers the opportunity to help children in need everywhere receive toys for the holidays. (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Alex Manne) VIEW ORIGINAL Contrary to popular belief, jumpmasters and paratroopers don't actually drop the toys when jumping from aircraft. Instead, they turn in their donated toys and receive lottery tickets. A Soldier whose ticket number is selected is then given the opportunity to jump. Some Soldiers stand in line with their toys for nearly 12 hours before the event in the hopes of receiving a lucky ticket.
The Soldiers, civilians, and family members who are assigned to USACAPOC(A) say they take great pride in the planning that goes into executing the event.
This year Sgt. Jesse Michel, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, Fort Bragg, North Carolina was among the first Soldiers to stand in line for the lottery ticket. It was his fifth year participating.
"As a child, my family [relied on] organizations like this, and I feel that it is my responsibility to give back to the community the way they have me," he said.
"I enjoy knowing I am helping those who are less fortunate."
I know this article is a year old. This year's Operation Toy drop will take place on Camp MacKall and Fort Bragg, NC this coming week and weekend.
Last year Paratroopers lined up 12 hours before the raffle began. At the time of the raffle's completion they estimated over 100,000 toys were donated not only by the Paratroopers but as spectators that weathered the cold on Luzon and Sicily Drop Zones.
As somebody who participated in a few of these, the work is well worth worth it.