U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Gary Patterson, a loadmaster

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Gary Patterson, a loadmaster assigned to the 36th Airlift Squadron, Yokota Air Base, Japan, scans for a drop zone from a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft during an Operation Christmas Drop 2017 training flight, Dec. 8, 2017, over the Pacific Ocean. Over the course of 12 days, crews will airdrop donated food, supplies, educational materials, and tools to 56 islanders throughout the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Richard P. Ebensberger)