AIR FORCE WEATHER AGENCY, OFFUTT AFB, Neb. -- Living thousands of miles away from family and friends at the holidays may seem unbearable, but for the men and women of the Air Force Weather deployed overseas, the holidays are a little brighter.

Every year, the people at HQ Air Force Weather Agency here put together holiday care packages for the deployed weather people during a program dubbed Operation REMOTE CHRISTMAS. And this year's operation was the biggest to date.

"The agency collected Christmas candy and decorations, home-made cards from local elementary school students, games, and other holiday related items to fill the Christmas care packages," said Susan Gottschall, AFWA Operation coordinator.

About 20 volunteers worked to gather, sort, package, and ship 41 boxes to weather people stationed at more than 30 remote locations worldwide. These volunteers are glad to help any way they can to bring a little Christmas cheer to those serving at challenging duty locations during the holiday season.

"This program is one of the most important holiday project we do all year," said Gottschall. "Operation REMOTE CHRISTMAS gives us the opportunity to let our deployed troops know they are in our thoughts during the holidays."

These packages make a huge difference to the recipients and their coworkers overseas.

I was deployed last holiday season, I felt these boxes made a world of difference to all of us," said Tech. Sgt. Imo Lax, AFWA weather specialist and Operation key worker.

"The cards and drawings from the children added to the boxes made the biggest impact. Everyone I shared the gifts and cards with was touched by the show of appreciation for the work all the deployed members were performing everyday to protect our freedom," added Lax.