Civil Air Patrol New Mexico Joins 41st Navajo Christmas Airlift

By Maj. John Graham, Santa Fe Composite Squadron

Civil Air Patrol (CAP) New Mexico Wing members recently supported the 41st annual Navajo Christmas Airlift, a longstanding effort that delivers holiday donations to Native families across the region. Held November 13–15, the event brought volunteers from across the state to move food, clothing, school supplies, toys, and other essential items to the main distribution site in Gallup, where local partners will sort and prepare the donations for delivery.

Since 2021, the New Mexico Wing has actively contributed to this mission, reflecting CAP’s commitment to hands-on community service. Despite limited aircraft availability this year, members adapted to ensure the Wing remained a key participant. Capt. Floyd Lopez of the Taos Squadron piloted N292CP to Gallup, supporting flight operations for the mission.

Much of the donations were transported by ground. The Santa Fe Composite Squadron delivered its shipment on Thursday, followed by an additional load from the Albuquerque Heights Squadron on Saturday. Lt. Col. Mary Fox and Capt. James McKelvey drove the Albuquerque vehicle, while Maj. Allan Wood and Capt. Alan Eckert handled the Santa Fe route. Upon arrival in Gallup, cadets and senior members from the Hohzo Academy Squadron assisted with unloading and organizing the donations at the distribution center.

The Airlift is part of a larger regional effort coordinated by the Southwest Indian Foundation (SWIF), which collects, sorts, and distributes thousands of pounds of donated goods each year to the Navajo Nation and other tribal communities. Dozens of private pilots, local volunteers, and organizations from across the Southwest contribute to moving donations, with CAP supporting a portion of those deliveries to Gallup.

“The Navajo Christmas Airlift is an important way for CAP to give back to our neighbors during the holiday season,” said Lt. Col. Mary Fox of the Albuquerque Heights Squadron. “Even with fewer resources this year, it’s inspiring to see our members and cadets step up and work together to support the community.”

A standout contribution this year came from Senior Member Chuck Hardy of the Santa Fe Composite Squadron, who coordinated a $1,000 donation of new shoes, benefiting many families once distribution begins Civil Air Patrol’s participation in the Navajo Christmas Airlift reflects the organization’s values of service, teamwork, and community support. Through missions like this, cadets and senior members gain hands-on experience in logistics and volunteer coordination while contributing to an effort that impacts families across the region.

For More Information:

Public Affairs Team
New Mexico Civil Air Patrol
Email: pa@nmwg.cap.gov