Team Edwards plays 'Santa' to deployed troops Published Dec. 7, 2009 By Senior Airman Julius Delos Reyes 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Team Edwards is deploying 109 care packages to the area of responsibility as part of Operation Touch our Warriors, each bearing a mission -- to bring holiday joy to deployed Edwards Airmen. Operation Touch our Warriors is an Edwards annual tradition, where the whole community donate items and volunteer to pack gifts for deployed Airmen, all in the holiday spirit and wingman culture. Each care package contains items such as personal hygiene products, snacks, books, notebooks as well as personalized holiday cards. "Events like this are part of the glue that holds our Air Force family together ... they help make Team Edwards a special place to live and work," said Col. Jerry Gandy, 95th Air Base Wing commander. "We thank all who contributed their time and donations to this worthy cause. Many in the holiday season celebrate the act of giving to others ... Operation Touch our Warriors gives our community an opportunity to give to our deployed warriors and remind them that they are part of a great team ... America's Premier Flight Test Center!" Led by Tech. Sgt. Treverly Russell, 95th Aerospace Medicine Squadron Dental Records and Reception noncommissioned officer in charge, the volunteer team set up collection booths for three days at the Base Exchange and the Commissary for people to drop off their donations. On Dec. 4 base leadership, Maj. Gen. David Eichhorn, Air Force Flight Test Center commander, and Colonel Gandy, led the packing event at the First Term Airman Center classroom. Other organizations like Edwards Civilian Military Group, Army Air Force Exchange Service and IB Express also provided items for the care packages. "It's awesome that everyone came for this event," Sergeant Russell said. "We have had people step up when we really needed volunteers. It's really a joint effort. I really appreciate everyone for donating their time and effort." According to her, Operation Touch our Warriors is Team Edwards' way of showing support to its Airmen deployed during the holiday season to ensure they know "we appreciate them being there fighting for us." "This is a wonderful event that helps keep us in touch with our deployed Airmen," General Eichhorn said. "Being deployed over the holiday season is difficult on our people -- especially on their families. Care packages remind our deployed Airmen that we miss them, hope they stay safe, and look forward to their return."