JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska (AP) — Santa Claus’ sleigh took on new responsibilities in rural Alaska this week when delivering gifts to an Alaska Native village.
Santa’s ride, an Alaska Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, was shuttling Santa, Mrs. Claus, volunteer elves and gifts in shifts Wednesday to provide the children of Tuluksak some Christmas cheer.
The flights originated about 35 miles (56 kilometers) southwest, from the hub community of Bethel, the guard said in a release.
The Alaska National Guard for decades has delivered gifts, supplies and sometimes Christmas itself to tiny rural communities dotting the nation’s largest and largely roadless state.
The guard stepped up, taking donated gifts and supplies to the village.
Persons:
’, Claus, Colton Bell, David Berg, ” Bell
Organizations:
ELMENDORF, Alaska Army National Guard UH, Hawk, Helicopter, Alaska National Guard
Locations:
RICHARDSON , Alaska, Santa, Alaska, Bethel, Tuluksak, Napaskiak, Anchorage, St, Mary’s