All language subtitles for Operation.Christmas.Drop.2020.1080p.WEBRip.x264.AAC5.1-[YTS.MX]

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-♪ Oh
-♪ La-la-la-la, la-la-la-la ♪

♪ La-la-la-la, la-la-la-la ♪

-♪ La-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
-♪ Oh, oh ♪

-♪ Aah, oh
-♪ La-la-la-la, la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la ♪

-♪ Yeah, yeah
-♪ La-la-la-la, la-la-la-la ♪

-♪ Aah
-♪ La-la-la-la, la-la-la-la ♪

♪ Aah-aah-aah ♪

♪ Hark how the bells, sweet silver bells ♪

♪ All seem to say, "Throw cares away" ♪

♪ Christmas is here, bringing good cheer ♪

♪ To young and old, meek and the bold ♪

-♪ Ding dong, ding dong
-♪ That is their song ♪

♪ With joyful ring, all caroling ♪

♪ One seems to hear words of good cheer ♪

♪ From everywhere, filling the air ♪

♪ Oh, how they pound, raising the sound ♪

♪ O'er hill and dale, telling their tale ♪

♪ Gaily they ring, while people sing ♪

♪ Songs of good cheer, Christmas is here ♪

-♪ Merry, Merry, Merry, Merry Christmas
-♪ Merry ♪

♪ Merry, Merry, Merry, Merry Christmas ♪

♪ On and on they send, on without end ♪

♪ Their joyful tone to every home… ♪

[woman] Hey, Sally.
This is taking longer than I thought.

-[horn blares]
-Can you jump on my schedule a bit more?

I'm working my way through
the congresswoman's Christmas list,

and I'm still two cashmere sweaters

and a Tiffany bracelet
away from the bottom.

I'm feeling less like a legislative aide
and more and more a personal shopper.

It's a compliment, Erica.

The congresswoman takes
her Christmas shopping very seriously.

That's why she only trusts it to you.

That's a positive spin.

[Santa chuckles]

Oh, I found that article you wanted.

[typing]

What's a Christmas Drop?

[Erica] It's some sort of mission
out of an airbase in the Pacific

where they parachute gifts and supplies
to remote islands at Christmas.

I am sending you a photo
of the headline page now.

So who's Major Eye Candy
in the Santa cap?

[phone alert]

[chuckles] I have no idea.

But ever since the congresswoman

became head of the Base Realignment
and Closure Commission…

[laughs]

…this base has been at the top
of her naughty list.

♪ I'm dreaming ♪

♪ Of a white Christmas ♪

♪ Just like the ones I used to know ♪

♪ Where the treetops glisten ♪

♪ And children listen ♪

♪ To hear sleigh bells in the snow ♪

♪ I'm… ♪

[group singing] ♪ I'm dreaming
Of a white Christmas ♪

♪ With every Christmas card I write ♪

-[man] ♪ May your day-- ♪
-[audio dropping]

Again?

Sorry, I lost you.
Indiana, are you guys there?

-[buzzing]
-Yeah. No, the Wi-Fi's buffering again.

Haskell, I thought we agreed
to upgrade our bandwidth.

We did.

But since you had me put the router
in the barn so you could FaceTime the vet,

the signal's too weak.

Let's just reboot the modem.

-No! Then we'll lose Andrew. No! Haskell!
-[sighs]

And so ends our family's attempt
at Christmas caroling via web.

Ah, that's okay, sis.

Watching Mom and Dad bicker about Wi-Fi

reminds me of Christmas
more than you know.

How's your Christmas over there,
Uncle Andrew?

Well, you heard of a partridge
in a pear tree?

I got a seagull in a coconut palm.

Maybe you could borrow an Air Force jet
and fly home.

-It's only eight days till Christmas.
-[laughs]

I wish I could, kiddo,
but they need me here.

We got a big job helping Santa out.

I know. Mom told me.

I just wish you were here for Christmas.

Me, too, pumpkin.

Me, too.

[man 1] Man, I really miss home
this time of year.

[man 2] Look, man, I'm telling you,
nothing beats Christmas in Wisconsin.

Ice skating, ice fishing,
snowmobiling through the trees.

-Winter there is the best season there is.
-[laughs]

Yeah, Wisconsin's got all the seasons,
all right.

It's got winter, still winter,
more winter, mud, and then winter again.

[Andrew laughs]
Repeatin' the same joke each day

-doesn't make it any funnier, eh, Joker?
-Hah!

Look, I just thought adding in
the extra "winter"

-would give it more life, you know?
-'Cause it had life?

[Joker] The joke is Wisconsin's
got nothing on Arizona.

And, man, do I miss
my momma's eggnog pumpkin pie.

What about you, Sunshine?
Miss anything? Anyone?

I really miss Cam.

My '67 Camaro.

-[laughs]
-In my garage, gatherin' dust.

Well, we all wanna be home this time of
year, but, uh, we got the next best thing.

Need your signature, Captain.

[sighs] Are you gonna be on base
for Christmas, Airman?

Afraid so, sir.

Well, we got the Drop coming up.

The typhoon last month
ripped the roof off of our warehouse,

and we lost most of our donations,
so we're still playing catch-up.

-We could use as much help as we can get.
-I'm signed up.

Well done.

We got a fundraiser
coming up this weekend.

It's gonna be lots of good music,
good people, holiday cheer.

And dancing. Lots and lots of dancing.

[laughter]

I'm a world-class dancer, Sunshine.

You know, there might be enough room
for me to show you all my moves.

-Not gonna happen.
-[soldier laughs]

Yeah, you wouldn't wanna miss
Joker's world-class dancing.

[Andrew] It's for the best cause, so…

Yeah, that's just one part
of the captain's personal mission

to make sure that nobody in this base
misses the holiday season.

[Andrew] If we can't be home
for Christmas…

-we're gonna bring Christmas here.
-[laughing]

-[chuckles]
-[radio] ♪ Happy Christmas ♪

♪ Happy Christmas ♪

♪ Happy Christmas, everyone ♪

[Erica] Come on, Sam. The committee
meeting ended at three a.m., okay?

The congresswoman was tired and misspoke.

How about you quote someone else
for your article,

and maybe I can find an invite for you
for the French embassy's New Year's party?

Yes. With a plus one. Great.

You're magic.

I think this legislative-aide thing

may put your personal shopping career
on the back burner.

And that's why you're a shoo-in
to be the next chief of staff.

Last I checked, we already have one.

Not for long. I hear that lobbying group
just upped Sheila's offer.

-Seriously?
-Mm-hm.

…cowboys, cowboys…

No. There's… [sighs]

…others way ahead of me
in line for that, like Matt.

How do I compete with a guy

that can pull off a holiday tie
and a matching pocket square?

-[laughs]
-[phones chiming]

Bradford's Bat-Signal.

-It's all emojis. She's in trouble.
-Mm.

I got this.

[woman] Well, it's…
it's quite a lot of detail to take in.

Excuse me, congresswoman.
You're wanted on an urgent matter.

-National security.
-Mm.

-Excuse us.
-Mm.

Ah, that was perfect timing.

Remind me not to have discussions
with snow sculpture enthusiasts again.

I'll add it to the list, ma'am.

Okay. You have 40 minutes

before your meeting with General Mason
about the closure proposals.

-[Bradford] That's today?
-Mm-hm.

[Bradford] Where are you with the research
on that air base in the Pacific?

Andersen is the base.
I'm pulling together some info.

"Operation Christmas Drop."

They've been using
our military cargo planes

to drop gifts and supplies
to remote islands at Christmas.

If we're looking to close down bases,
this one's flashing red and green.

They're calling it
a low altitude training exercise.

That just happens
to be dropping Christmas presents.

Yes, but I'm sure
there's more to it than that.

Well, then, find out.
I'm gonna send you over there.

You can assess their operations,
suggest cuts,

or, better yet,
make a case for base closure.

You're sending me?

I need your investigative prowess
to turn over every stone on that island.

You know, January in the tropics
doesn't sound so bad.

Says here this Drop thing is in a week.
You need to be there before it happens.

Boots on the ground, Miller.

[Bradford walking away]

Kind of had plans for Christmas.

[phone ringing]

[sighing] Hey, Dad.

I guess, by the look on your face,
you got my message.

[Dad] Honey, what assignment
is so important

you have to cancel Christmas
with your family this time?

Look, I know you're disappointed,
but I can't get out of it.

[sighs] Carol and I were really
looking forward to seeing you this year.

I know, Dad.

But it's a chief of staff job opening,

and this might be
a real game-changer for me.

Are you sure
that's really the reason, sweetheart?

What else would it be?

You haven't been here for Christmas
since your mom passed away, Eri.

If you could just give Carol a chance,
I think you two could be friends.

It's not Carol, Dad.

Look, maybe there's a way that I can…

come for your birthday, maybe.

Another "maybe."

Well, that's the best I got, Dad.

Be safe. I love you.

Okay. I love you.

[sighs]

[sighs]

I know, Mom.

I'm trying.

-[Andrew] Permission to enter, sir?
-Enter.

At ease, Andrew.

-You asked to see me, sir?
-I did.

I got off the phone with the head of
the Armed Services Committee this morning.

Word is, we're on the short list
for realignment or closure.

Seriously, sir?

They make a final decision in a few weeks,

but a friend on the Hill got a message
to me saying

we've got a target on our backs.

But, sir, we're the most strategically
important location in the South Pacific.

Maybe, but this didn't help.

For some reason,
this has grabbed Washington's attention,

and now we're in their crosshairs.

-And I need you to get us out of it.
-Me, sir?

There's a congressional aide flying in
from DC to evaluate base operations.

I need someone to show 'em around,
put our best foot forward.

But, sir, I'm a cargo pilot.

You've also got
mad people skills, Captain.

And there isn't anyone on this base
I would trust more to pull this off.

Sir, I really think you'd be better off
with one of the base PAOs.

You know, the--

If I put a Public Affairs Officer on this,
it would make it official, Andrew.

We're not supposed
to know about this yet.

We got nothin' to hide.

Exactly, which is why I want you
to make sure this bean-counter sees

we are 100% mission-focused on this base.

The flight from DC lands
at 0900 tomorrow.

That is all.

Understood, sir.

Hi!

[Erica] Those look dangerous.

Unexploded ordnance?

-Used to be.
-Uh-huh.

Now we just use it
to keep tourists off our break.

Aren't you a little overdressed
for the beach?

Aren't you a little underdressed
for an officer?

Off duty…

for eight more minutes.

If you're lost,
the resort is back that way two clicks.

I'm not lost. Just wanna stretch my legs.
It was a pretty long flight.

-Long flight?
-Yeah, 36 hours from DC.

Washington?

Washington, DC.

I think I'm your ride.

Huh.

[Andrew] Seriously, General Hatcher said
your flight lands at 0900.

I switched planes in Pearl
and shaved two hours off of my trip.

In my line of work,
I look for ways to improve efficiency.

And what brainiac
steered you down to the beach?

Oh, the same one
that tried your cell five times

while you were out playing in the water.

Oh.

So it was one of the smart brainiacs.

-Is this military issue?
-Nope.

It's my Jeep. I wouldn't use
a military-issue vehicle for personal use.

By the way, the name's Andrew.

Oh, I know. I recognize you.

From that Stars and Stripes article

about cargo pilots providing
just-in-time combat support?

[laughs] No, from the ukulele Santa photo
in the newspaper.

No offense, ma'am, but you don't know
the first thing about me.

Captain Andrew Jantz,

interim commander on G-Series orders
for the 734th Air Mobility Squadron.

You've been a cargo pilot for nine years.

You graduated UCLA ROTC with high honors

and a reprimand for a prank
involving the colonel's car…

and a possum.

Well, maybe I know a little bit
about you, too.

-Really?
-Yeah.

By that accent,
I'd say you hail from Philadelphia.

That key chain on your tote bag says
you went to Georgetown.

And by the way you like to call the shots,
you headed your college sorority.

Impressive.

Wildly inaccurate.

The accent is from Boston,
but I went to UPenn

and lost most of it
in a Delaware Valley dialect.

And the key chain on my tote
is from Georgetown, but it was a gift

from the Georgetown School
of Foreign Service conference in Qatar.

[man on radio] Hey, Claws.
You, uh, got that bean-counter yet?

"Claus"?

Around here, I'm not Andrew.
I'm Claws. C-L-A-W-S.

It's an aircrew tradition
to address each other with call signs.

I would have thought "Claus" as in Santa
would have made more sense.

One picture in a Santa hat
isn't enough to earn a call sign.

Okay, Claws, why did your general
pick you to fly my Jeep this week?

Must be his great sense of humor.

And your boss sending you here
a week before Christmas?

Duty calls.

You won't find any inefficiencies.

I'd like to see things for myself,
just the same.

Now I understand.

Understand what?

Why your boss sent you here.

So you wouldn't spoil
the office Christmas party.

Just drive.

[Andrew] You'll be staying here. [sighs]
Base housing for short-term guests.

You've been up all night.
How about you get some shut-eye?

-I'll pick you up later this afternoon.
-Oh, no. We're starting in 30 minutes.

[Andrew] That didn't sound
like a question.

Yeah, well, I need to change my shoes
and answer e-mails.

And then I wanna tour the base.

I need to interview staff,
review purchase orders.

Basic fact-finding mission.

-What do you intend to find?
-[rattling]

Probably more
than you feel comfortable sharing.

Sorry it's not the Ritz. [sighs]

But if you see a gecko,
remember they're good luck.

Don't worry.
When you work on Capitol Hill,

you're used to all sorts of odd creatures.

Copy that. See you in 30.

Oh, and, Captain,
can you get me a map of the island,

a command org chart,
and a base acquisition forecast?

Would you also like turndown service
and mints on your pillow, too, ma'am?

The general told me you were here
to assist me in any way that I needed.

[sighs] Map, org chart,
and acquisition forecast. Roger that.

Perfect.

You're gonna fit in great around here.
Clearly, you like giving orders.

See you in a half.

The bean-counter has landed.

And she is the most high-maintenance,
condescending pencil pusher I've ever met.

-She, sir?
-Is she single?

-Is she gonna be trouble?
-[Andrew] Not if I can help it.

I'm just going to give her the grand tour,

let the island work its magic, and
she will be out of our hair in no time.

-[rattling]
-[Erica grunting]

[sighs]

-[rattling continues]
-[grunts]

[gasps] Oh!

Luck? Why don't you go spread your luck
outside or something, hm?

Come on.

Come on.

Shoo, shoo. Come on.

[sighs]

No? Okay.

It's freakin' me out.

[sighs] Okay.

[device ringing]

-[computer chimes]
-Hey.

Aloha! [sighs]
How's paradise treating you?

It's not aloha here, Sal.

That is Hawaii. Here, they say hafa adai.

And, as for paradise,

there is a gecko that is giving me
the evil eye as we speak.

What's up?

The boss wanted me to check in,
make sure you got there in one piece.

Is it hot? It looks hot.

It is so hot.

I started into it.
They assigned me a handler.

He's got a huge ego,
but nothing I can't handle.

Is he a pilot?

Why? 'Cause pilots have big egos?

But that's okay,
because, you know, they're pilots.

Good thing the door was open.

I don't think my huge ego
would fit through the window.

Uh… gotta go! Hafa adai.

-Don't people knock around here?
-The door was open.

Yeah, I'm trying to get rid of this gecko.

Don't wanna do that.
I told you, they're lucky…

and the best insect repellent
you're gonna find. [sighs]

[Erica] Uhhh…

All right. Let's get started.

Your air conditioner is broken.

Let's go.

[Andrew] This base is home to the 36th
Wing in the 734th Air Mobility Squadron.

Bombers and heavy transport as well
as fighter groups like these F-15s here

rotate through on a regular basis.

We have operations all around the island.

See, despite the impression that
the article gave, there is no slack here.

Everybody is busy with very serious work.

[bells jingling]

Are those Christmas ornaments?

Ornaments and gifts
for our local school kids.

Part of our community outreach.

We'll head to Acquisitions,
and then we'll go to the tower. Come on.

[Erica] Okay. I am going to skim this one.

Hm…

Um… This one.

Let's see.

You know, I've got all the info
on a portable hard drive.

[Erica] This one…

Actually, no, the binders work fine.

Yep. This one.

[jet engine roars overhead]

The elevator's being serviced,
but you can leave your stuff

at the base of the stairs,
or I'm happy to carry it up for you.

[scoffs] I'm good. Thanks.

[helicopter approaching]

[Andrew] This is the tallest tower
in all the Pacific Air Forces.

Sixteen stories.

Originally built in the '60s.

Hey, guys, we have a visitor.

[Erica grunts]

Sergeant, finish that doughnut.

[radio chatter]

See? Nothing goes to waste here.

-Quite a view.
-It is, ma'am.

[radio chatter continues]

Yeah, I, uh… want to come up
and see it at night, though.

I was leafing
through your purchase orders,

and I noticed an order
for red and green… landing lights.

Lights can be handy
if you wanna land a plane at night.

-Got an answer for everything.
-'Cause I'm efficient.

Up next, Detachment Two,

the 21st Space Operations Squadron.

[sighs] Do we have to walk?

[Andrew] You know,
when you visit our island,

it's considered bad luck
not to visit all five of our beaches.

That line work with all the girls?

Look, Captain,
I appreciate the guided tour,

but I'd like to stay focused
on base resources.

Like I said, we got operations
all over the island.

[music blaring from truck]

What's at Tarague Beach?

Oh, it's just a… big swamp.

Lot of military assets
heading toward a… big swamp.

Yes, they must be doing
some sort of survival training.

Next up, the largest outdoor market
on the island.

-[laughter and conversation]
-[woman] Yeah. Oh, yeah.

How much is this?

You don't like this one? Okay.

Thank you! Hi. How are you? Hey!

-Hi, Andrew.
-Hi, Noelia. Hey, guys.

This is all really nice, but, uh…

I came here to observe and report,

not, uh, work on my tan
and taste the local fare, okay?

[machine whirring]

-Hafa adai, Sue.
-Hey, Andrew.

-How you doin'?
-Good. How are you?

-I'm good. Could I grab two, please?
-Sure.

Oh, by the way,
our church's canned food drive was huge.

We've got five crates of food
for the Drop.

-[Andrew] That's awesome!
-[Sue] Yeah!

-[Andrew] I'll see you on packing day.
-[Sue] Yeah.

Coconut Christmas. This Saturday.
What's that about?

Probably just some local thing.

-Straw.
-[man] See you Saturday night, Andrew.

Yeah… How do you like that?
Christmas colors.

It's hard to remember it's Christmas
when it's this hot.

Actually, will you excuse me
for a second? Be right back.

-[woman laughs]
-[man] Right?

Hey, Mr. Mayor. Sorry to interrupt.

How are you doin', sir?

Let me guess, Cap'n.
You want me to donate another generator?

The typhoon kicked the crap
out of the atolls.

Generators are their source of power.

We have no way of communicating with them
if they can't use their ham radios.

I get it. I feel for them.

But I'm not in the business
of giving away generators for free.

They cost far too much.

If you don't mind,
I'm in the middle of something.

-Who was that?
-[sighs]

That is Mayor Sampson.

He's probably one of the richest men
on the island.

And the one with the least amount
of Christmas spirit.

Someone should invite him to the Coconut
Christmas on Saturday and remind him.

That's actually a good idea.

I'll talk to some of the locals about it
who are putting on this local event.

[Erica] It's getting late here.
Is this even a road?

[Andrew] Quick detour…

to the most sensational turquoise beach
you'll ever set your eyes on.

Maybe run down the clock
till I head home?

I am offended you even think
I would stoop so low.

You know what, Captain?

Maybe you're right.

-I am?
-Eh…

Can't beat 'em, join 'em.

Great!

To the beach!

To the beach.

-[Andrew] Nice, huh?
-[birdsong]

-I told you it's beautiful.
-Beautiful? Oh, it's amazing.

[both sigh]

[Erica] Wow.

[sighs]

Aaah!

Nothin' beats this view.

Man, I have to send a selfie to my dad.

-Oh-- [sighs]
-[Andrew] Left your phone in the Jeep?

-I did.
-I can go get it.

[Erica] I got it. I got it.

I got it.

[jet engine roars overhead]

-[seabird calling]
-[sighs]

[Jeep door slams]

[engine starts]

Hey!

Enjoy the view.

[panting]

[chuckles and sighs]

Okay.

[panting]

[laughter]

[Andrew] Shut up!

Figured you'd come back through the trees.

-She left your Jeep for you.
-Where is she?

-[panting]
-Where isn't she?

Air Ops, Supply, Wing HQ, Com Squadron.

Oh, man! This assignment's gonna be harder
than I thought.

[laughing]

[low music and conversation]

-[Joker] Cap'n.
-Where's your shadow, Captain?

She went rogue, but it's under control.

Claws to Andersen Tower.
You guys got eyes on Blitzen?

[man] Claws, Andersen Tower.

Blitzen last seen outside Air Mobility,
Hangar Three.

Oh, no.

[Erica] Blitzen?

-Really, Captain?
-[sighs]

I pitched for "Grinch,"
but nobody went for it.

Hi. We were just, uh, talkin' about you.
How'd you find me?

Left my phone in your Jeep
and tracked you here.

Figured the first place you'd go
is the last place you'd want me to see.

Damn, she's good.

So, Air Force base
or Claws' little village?

-I can explain.
-Good.

You can start by explaining
what is going on at Tarague Beach.

I drove by there,
and instead of finding survival training,

I found Christmas decorations
and party supplies.

Time to lay your Christmas cards
on the table, Captain.

Okay, that stuff you saw at the beach
is for Saturday night.

And all of this
is for Operation Christmas Drop.

Yeah, I know.
It's one of the reasons I'm here.

You might know it's a tradition
that goes back almost 70 years.

Last year, we delivered medicine, food,
toys, and gifts

to almost 30,000 people,
56 different islands.

And we plan to do more this year.

I'm sure it's a good cause,
but not on the taxpayers' dime.

That's just it.
Taxpayers don't pay a cent!

-I find that hard to believe.
-It's funded entirely by donation.

Almost all of it from people
here on the island.

Individuals, businesses, church groups
all year long are donating.

Clothes, food, medicine, supplies,

fishing nets, everything you see here.

But what about the military personnel
that it takes?

Everyone is working on their off hours.
That's how much it means to them.

Okay. What about the fuel?
The wear and tear on the aircraft?

[Andrew] The Drop is probably the best
low-altitude training these crews get.

We'd be flying these planes
to train anyways.

At least, with the Drop,
we're doing something good while we fly.

Plus, we get to work with our allies.
The Japanese, the Australians.

Most importantly, it's Christmas.

A lot of the people we help live on some
of the most remote islands in the world.

If it wasn't for us and the work we do,
they'd be on their own.

I'm not the Grinch.

I get it.

It's a good cause. It's good training.
I see the benefits.

But I have an assignment,

and, cost aside, I don't see how
this helps the functioning of the base.

[sighs]

For a lot of the enlisted kids here, this
is their first Christmas away from home.

With the Drop, they feel like they're
doing something important. Helping people.

I'll be sure to mention it all
in my report.

Yeah, I bet.

What is that supposed to mean?

I think you had your mind made up
before you stepped off the plane.

Look, Captain, I'm not gonna tell
the congresswoman to take it easy

because you have a big heart
and a nice smile.

So you admit I have a nice smile?

Look, we're a family here.

And what you say about us could lead
to the base closing.

-We've heard the rumors.
-I don't make the decision.

I just write a report.

A report you've been told
needs to be damning

to get to a result
some congresswoman needs to fill a quota.

That's not true.

Give me 24 hours to show you
what we do here, starting with the Drop.

Then write whatever you want
in your report.

Captain, this isn't a negotiation.

Everything's a negotiation, Erica.

I need you to see what we do here.

Then at least you'll be writing the truth.

-[man 1] Packing tape.
-[man 2] Packing tape…

[man 1] Well, hold onto that tape.

[cicadas chirping]

[sighs]

-Hi, I'm--
-Erica.

-Yeah.
-Yes, of course.

-I'm Sandra. Come on in.
-Thanks.

So kind of you to invite me,
and totally unnecessary.

You're far from home at Christmas.

The least we could do is
give you a home-cooked meal.

Thank you. I like your place.

Thanks. When we first moved in,
it was a little cinder-block chic.

Built to withstand typhoons
and good taste.

But I've managed to nudge it
in the right direction.

Are you a decorator?

No, actually, I'm the OSS Commander.

That would make you--

Lieutenant Colonel Blaine,
your 3:00 p.m. tomorrow.

-Yeah.
-[laughs] Okay!

I had no idea
that you and the general were married.

Dinner's ready!

Well, tonight, he is not the general.
He's the chef.

And he will not tolerate it if we eat
cold food, so please take a seat.

Okay. Wow!

This is wonderful.

[Sandra] Yeah.
Not only a superb Wing Commander

but also a true epicurean
when it comes to holiday meals.

I'd ask you to carve, Ms. Miller,

but I'm hoping to avoid
you making any unnecessary cuts.

-Hatch!
-[laughs] It's okay, ma'am.

I'm just here to write a report, General.
My boss is the one making the decisions.

And has Captain Jantz been effectively
facilitating your report?

Yes, very effective
in steering me in the wrong direction.

But that'll only help me
find the right one.

Cheers.

Cheers.

[Erica] Thank you.

Sandra, that was great.

Are you sure I can't give you a ride?

Oh, it's such a beautiful night
for a walk.

And the sooner I get back to my room,
the sooner I have to get back to work.

-Your report.
-My report.

A lot of people's livelihoods are resting
on your shoulders right now, Erica.

I'm painfully aware of that, ma'am, but,
as I said, I don't make the decisions.

Well, yeah, you do. Don't fool yourself.

Everything that you decide to write
in that report will directly impact

the lives of everyone on this base.

While you're here,
you need to meet all these people.

You need to see all the great work
that they're doing.

Lieutenant Colonel,
you know as well as I do

that, sometimes, hard decisions
have to be made for the greater good.

As painful as they might be.
I tried to tell Andrew that.

Just so you know…
I mean, Andrew is impossible.

But he's the most honorable guy
you'll ever meet.

-Oh, really?
-He's a good person to show you around.

And I really hope
that you see everything.

Thank you. Well, have a good night.

Good night, Erica.

[sighs]

[horns blaring]

See? We got three inches today.

They're predicting it'll be
the whitest Christmas in 30 years.

-Ah, makes me feel so Christmassy.
-[Erica] Oh, I wish I was there.

Are you crazy? You're in paradise.

You sound like the pilot
they assigned to show me around here.

He's trying to get me to see
how beautiful the island is

instead of concentrating on the base.

Erica, promise me
you will try to have some fun.

You're on a tropical island.

Progress?

Yes, I, am… actually…

currently going through thousands of pages
of expenditure reports right now, ma'am.

[Bradford] Well, forget about that.

Matt and his group are working
on the base's file plan here.

It's all available on the DOD server.
I'm surprised you didn't know about that.

[tuts]

This is all they offered up.

I need you on your A game, Erica.

I'm being pushed to come up

with comprehensive shutter arguments
for three bases.

Two of them are easy.
One of them is in my district.

I need a replacement,
and that's going to be your base

with its yearly Christmas present toss.

Actually, they're not dropping presents.

It's a remarkable humanitarian mission

that's helping
tens of thousands of people.

I'm sorry to sound harsh here,
but using military equipment

to drop Christmas presents in the middle
of nowhere can't be justified.

That's just it.
That's not what's happening here, ma'am.

As far as I'm concerned,
that's the headline of your report.

Don't drink their Kool-Aid, Erica.

[dialing tone]

[crickets chirping]

[jet flying in distance]

-[knocking]
-All right, I'm here.

As promised.

[Andrew] Great. Ready in a sec.

[Erica] Oh.

Love what you've done with the place.

Don't knock it.

Cardboard is surprisingly strong
and unexpectedly stylish.

Yeah, unexpectedly.

These boxes will all be gone
in a couple of days. [sighs]

-What are you doing here?
-What?

I can't imagine
other captains live like this.

I like it here.

-I get to sort stuff on my free time.
-[jet flies overhead]

I don't need much furniture.

Anyway, you ready for our trip?

Sure.

[sighs] What'd you have in mind?

[Erica shouts] I thought you said
we were running an errand!

[Andrew] We are.

[Erica] Could've sworn
you didn't used the word "helicopter."

[Andrew] 'Cause I knew you'd never go.

Man, what a day for flyin'.

[Erica] Or crashing into the sea, maybe.

I wouldn't worry about that.

We have the Navy to thank
for letting us hitch a ride.

They have all the rotary assets
around here,

so we gotta be extra nice to them.

Go Navy! Beat Army!

It's so awesome up here!

Sometimes, I look down and realize
I have the best job in the world.

You know, it's hard to believe
that someone like you is a pilot.

Yeah? What should
someone like me do for a living?

Sales of some sort?

[laughs]

-What's happening?
-[Andrew] We're landin'.

Just droppin' in to say hi.

Over here.

[birdsong]

[Erica] A tropical island
in the middle of nowhere.

It must be paradise living here.
No voicemail. No traffic.

-No doctors. No stores. No help.
-[children laughing]

Out here, if you can't build it
or grow it yourself, you do without.

[all] Feliz Navidad!

-Feliz Navidad!
-[laughs] Feliz Navidad!

[Andrew chuckles]

-Feliz Navidad.
-[child] Feliz Navidad.

[both laugh]

-And you hope for the best.
-Yeah, and there's that.

This island's one of the lucky ones.

Some of the other islands
only see a supply ship once a year.

[Erica] How is it you know somebody
all the way out here?

[Andrew] John-Michael was stationed
at the base.

He's one of the best loadmasters
I ever had.

Used to be?

Buenas and hafa adai, cuz.

Hafa adai, che'lu.

Came back to help my family.
They needed a hand. I'm John-Michael.

Hi, Erica Miller.
Sorry, I didn't mean to be nosy.

No, if you're hanging with him, I think
someone deserves to cut you some slack.

Wow! Shots fired!

Thank you. Finally!
Someone who understands.

Erica's visiting from DC.
I'm showing her around the islands.

Oh, well, hope you like coconuts.
We've got a lot of coconuts.

Come on. Let's go.

-[laughter]
-[carabao bellowing]

-[woman 1] They're beautiful.
-[woman 2] Thank you.

[woman 3] Oh! Oh, I loved it.

-[man] Please help with that…
-Oh, hello, little one!

-Hi!
-Ha-hey! Good to see you.

-You too!
-Hey, guys!

[girl] Welcome to our village.

[Erica] Thank you.

It's beautiful.

-Love it.
-Thank you.

-[children laughing]
-[John-Michael] That's my niece, Ilana.

She's a smart one.

-Best reader in grade two.
-[Andrew] Right on.

-You have a grade school here?
-Satellite internet school.

But since power got knocked out
in the typhoon,

school's been out of commission.

[Andrew] Hopefully, that's just temporary.
We need to find another generator.

Sampson said no again?

Yeah. I'll make sure we have schoolbooks
and mosquito nets for the next drop.

-[John-Michael] Thanks, bro.
-You provide schoolbooks?

-[Andrew] Yeah, whatever's needed.
-Everything gets used. Boxes, strappings.

Even the parachutes are valuable.
They get turned into sails for the canoes.

Wow!

You should see the kids swarm
when they hear the planes.

It's like Santa himself
dropping off presents.

[all laugh]

[Erica] Hey, Ilana, I have an idea.

How would you and your friends

like some markers to draw with?

-[children gasping]
-[girl] Can I see that?

-Markers?
-[Erica] Yeah.

-[children whispering]
-Hairbrush.

-That's right.
-[girl] We don't have one.

[Erica] I have a mirror compact in here.

-[children gasping]
-[Erica] Oh, and here's some scrunchies.

-There's a sweater, if you ever get cold.
-[girl] Oh, that's nice!

[children whispering and laughing]

Actually, why don't you just…

take the bag?
You can put your seashells in it.

-Thank you.
-[Erica] You're welcome.

This is for you. For Christmas.

[Erica] Wow!

That's awesome.

Thank you.

Merry Christmas!

[boy] I haven't tried that…

Now you know how I feel
every time I come here.

[John-Michael] All that's missing
is some Christmas music.

Ilana, do you know anybody
that knows any Christmas carols?

[chuckling]

[all laughing]

Oh, I don't know if now's the time.

-Play, Uncle. Please!
-[laughter]

Christmas carols on a ukulele?
This should be good.

Any requests?

Anything to make me forget

I'm half a world away from home
at Christmas.

Let's see. [sighs]

[starts playing]

♪ Deck my legs with tons of sunblock ♪

♪ Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la ♪

♪ 'Tis the season to go surfing ♪

-♪ Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la ♪
-[all joining in]

-♪ Don we--
-♪ Don we now our brightest swimsuits ♪

[Andrew] That's good!

-♪ Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la ♪
-[laughter]

[Andrew] ♪ See the blazing sun above us ♪

[all] ♪ Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la ♪

♪ Beat the drum and join the chorus ♪

[all] ♪ Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la ♪

-♪ Ooh! Whoo! ♪
-[laughter]

-[cheering and applause]
-[child] Whoo! Yeah! Whoo!

[children] Yeah! Yeah!

It's really nice
that all of you try and help them.

We're just doin' the best we can
with what we have.

No. You made them happier
in a few minutes

than I've done all year
in the Capitol Building.

And you did it all with a ukulele.

Come on, it's time to show you
what we've been up to at Tarague Beach.

So, what we're gonna do is
hook up 12 volts, uh, charger here.

And so you can take the plus,
and I'll take the minus.

[Sunshine] Okay.

[man] Be sure it's all cleared.

[Joker] All right, boys,
just spread 'em out a little bit.

I like that. I like that. Oh, shoot!

Yeah, that's good. Put that one up.

Here you go.

-Hafa adai.
-[Andrew] Hafa adai, ma'am.

-Andrew. Erica.
-[Erica] Hey. Hafa adai, Sandra.

[Andrew] So, every year, we put on
this Coconut Christmas fundraiser

so we can raise money for the Drop.

It stretches resources,
but it's worth it in the end.

Don't tell me
this doesn't cost anything to put on.

The wood is offcuts
from a local construction company.

Everybody here brought
whatever lights they can spare.

-Uh-huh.
-Food is supplied by a local church group.

Brother Bruce and Sunshine over there
set it up

so that we are 100% solar-powered.

Brother Bruce?

Bruce Best. He's a legend here.

He's our link
between all the islands and atolls.

He's been doing the Drop
for the last 40 years.

-[music plays]
-That's nice!

-Whoa!
-Yeah! That's great.

-Who pays him?
-♪ And a shed by the sea ♪

-♪ Where we can get together… ♪
-He donates his time, all of it.

You know,
you agreed to give this a chance.

That means unplugging that little
cash register you got in your head.

Sorry. Sometimes, it's on autopilot.

But I still don't get
what all this is for.

To raise money for things that
we can't get donated, like generators.

We gotta raise a lot of cash.

[truck pulling up]

[horn blares]

[Andrew] More elves have arrived.

-[chuckles]
-We'd better get to work.

"We"?

Our deal was you'd try to understand
what we do here.

The best way to understand
is to pitch in.

[woman 1] Yeah! This looks great.

-Do you want to do a few more?
-[woman 2] Yeah.

Not bad! [chuckles]
You've weaved palm leaves before?

[laughter]

Last weaving I did was
friendship bracelets,

Camp Tabonga, 11 years old.

[chuckling]

You know, I've been part of the Drop
since I was a little girl.

My dad came from one of the islands.
Now my daughter and my grandson help, too.

-[laughs]
-[Sandra] Well, hello there.

-Hey.
-I see Andrew's already put you to work.

-Yeah. He seems to have a talent for that.
-[chuckles]

Well, no time for people to be homesick
when they have got something to do, right?

Hey, Blitzen… need your help over here.

We were making palm-leaf wreathes.

Eh, we're resourceful.

Instead of holly and mistletoe,
we got flame tree flowers.

Gotta improvise a bit on traditions.

So fruitcake made
with papaya and pineapple?

Instead of Christmas ham,
you got Christmas Spam.

[laughs] Instead of sledding
at grandma's backyard?

Christmas snorkeling on the reef.

Oh! That'd be fun.

Wait.

You've never been Christmas snorkeling?

I've never been Christmas, Easter,
or Valentine's snorkeling.

-You don't know what you're missin'.
-I've never even worn a snorkel.

Closest I have come is swimming through
budget reports while holding my nose.

-Long day.
-Mm-hm.

-But a good one.
-That we can agree on.

-[sighs]
-So, I have a question.

You're an officer, so…

why aren't you spending Christmas at home?

Well… right now, I'm commanding my unit,
so I have to be here.

But you're right.
I could… pull some strings.

I'm also the only one here who's
an air logistics planner and a pilot,

so the Christmas Drop needs
someone with my…

How should I put it?

Unique skill at finagling things.

[chuckles]

What's your excuse?
You could be anywhere, and you're here.

I have a lot riding on this assignment.
A promotion, maybe a really big one and…

[clears throat] Anyways, I like to stay
in motion during Christmas these days.

By working over the holidays?
Don't you wanna be home?

My mom passed away three years ago, so…

I'm really sorry.

We used to have Christmas caroling
by the fire and…

my mom's voice was loudest of all.

[chuckles]

There was mulled cider
and gingerbread and…

Now it's just not the same, so…

Especially since my dad got remarried
last year.

Ouch.

No, she's nice, actually. She is.

-She's just--
-Not your mom?

Not my mom.

Well, if there is one thing I've learned
out here on this island,

it's that, though you never wanna
forget your traditions,

there's always room to make new ones.

So, tomorrow, we go Christmas snorkeling.

-No. It's already been 24 hours!
-What?

-We need to hit it hard tomorrow.
-Sleeping doesn't count.

-You're still on the hook for 12 hours.
-My gosh!

You're always working an angle,
aren't you?

[clears throat]

Better go, I guess.

Work and…

Yeah.

-Find you in the morning?
-Yep.

Okay.

[sighs]

[frogs croaking]

[Sally] The big news is,
Sheila tendered her resignation.

Shut up.

Congresswoman Bradford now
officially needs a new chief of staff.

Oh! And I'm 8,000 miles away,
chasing my tail.

I'm pretty sure
you're still on the top of her list.

She asked me for an ETA on your report

and to let you know
about the job opening up.

I can get something to her
in a couple days.

She'll be on a plane in two days
to Singapore

to meet with her family for the holidays.

Pretty sure she's gonna ask for it
before she leaves.

Right. Um… I'll just bear down
and get it done.

Is that a flower in your hair?

Oh. Yeah. I just… took a shortcut
through some bushes. It's…

Mm-hm.

It's not like you to take a shortcut, Er.

Sounds like that island
is working its magic on you.

[whispers] Gotta go.

[beeping]

[Andrew's mother] Oh, you should have seen
the carolers tonight, honey.

Three different groups
all trying to out-sing each other!

-[laughter]
-It was just…

[Andrew] Man, I miss those cold walks
into town with you guys.

We could have used you when we got back.

Dad made us shovel up
the path to the barn.

Even though it's still snowing.

I'd like to make a toast
to us being together.

-[mom] Oh, yes.
-[dad] There is nothing…

[breaking up] …like family at Christmas.

[Andrew] Guys? You're breaking up.

[beeping]

Guys? Dad?

[tapping keyboard]

-And you're gone.
-Hey.

Door was just open.

Yeah, we… We do that here.

Am I interrupting? Are you…

No. No, I'm all done.

Everything okay?

Yeah. I was, uh…

just trying to FaceTime with my family.
We were gonna have dinner together,

but the internet on their end
had different plans.

Sorry to hear that.

Anyway, you ready to go
Christmas snorkeling?

Actually, I stopped by to say I can't go.

-Really? Why not?
-I'm getting pressure from Washington.

-Speed things up.
-That's exactly why you have to go.

-Uh-- I'm--
-As soon as possible.

Getting in the water
is the best cure for stress.

You come out feeling more relaxed,
more efficient…

if that's even possible for you.

Wanna be good at your job?

Snorkel.

[Andrew] All right. That should do it.

[Erica] Thanks.

[Andrew] Ready to take the plunge?

[Erica] As ready as I'll ever be.

-All right, let's go.
-Now?

-Yep.
-Okay.

♪ I love Christmas in the snow ♪

♪ But Christmas in the sand

♪ Oh, man ♪

♪ I tell you, that's where it's at ♪

♪ Hawaiian Tropic on my skin ♪

♪ Candy cane of peppermint ♪

♪ A hint

♪ Of cocoa on my lips ♪

♪ Could have been the sun
Could have been the sea ♪

♪ Could have been my childhood fantasy ♪

♪ But I saw Santa in his bathing suit ♪

♪ Tryin' to catch a wave
But he tried too soon ♪

♪ He laughed so hard
That he could barely breathe ♪

♪ And washed up next to me ♪

♪ He said, "And you look naughty
But I'm sure you're nice" ♪

♪ He was soakin' wet
But he cracked a smile ♪

♪ With a present in his hand ♪

-♪ He said, "It's Christmas in the sand"
-♪ Christmas in the sand ♪

♪ Christmas in the sand ♪

♪ Whoa, Christmas in the sand… ♪

-[Andrew] Whoo!
-[Erica] Oh, my gosh!

-♪ Christmas in the sand, whoa… ♪
-[Erica] Aah! That was amazing!

That parrotfish
was like a rainbow with fins!

And the turtle, I tried to swim
back to it, but it kept getting away.

And just like that,
a new Christmas tradition is born.

[laughs]

[Erica] The Procurement Office has
a data drive ready for me,

and I have a meeting with the general
at Wing Headquarters in an hour.

[Andrew] Suit yourself.

I've gotta do a bit of horse-trading
for the fundraiser tonight anyway.

[Erica] Okay.

[Sunshine] Captain!
Your shipment's arrived.

I see that!

Wait. Three-- How did you get
ten Douglas firs halfway across the world?

It's not gonna end up
in some sort of report, is it?

I promise you
it didn't cost the taxpayers a penny.

I find that hard to believe.

So a guy I know in Oregon
owns a tree farm.

He donated ten trees and dropped them off
at Portland at the Air National Guard.

They flew them to San Diego because
they were going there for training.

And a buddy at the Naval Air Station there

was flying a C-40 of recruits
to Pearl Harbor, so…

So that's only halfway.

Then, from Pearl, they ended up as freight
on a half-empty supply flight to Saipan,

where they were put on a Super Hercules
already due for depot maintenance here.

-Okay, but that doesn't--
-But nothin'.

Come see
what all this free transport gets us.

It's time to trade horses.

[brakes squeal]

[woman] Oh!
That's the same one we had last year!

-[man] Hey, Andrew! How are you?
-[Andrew] Hey, how you doing?

-[man] Thank you for bringing the trees.
-[Andrew] Thank you for taking them.

[Erica] Hello.

-How are you? Good to see you.
-Hi.

[Andrew] Watch out. It's heavy. All right.

[manager] Put them in the lobby.

-[Andrew] Okay.
-So, what's the angle here?

Thing you gotta remember is,
it's about finding the right angle.

-[man] They're beautiful.
-I made a deal with hotel management.

They are now officially the only resort
on the island

that carries real Douglas fir trees,

just in time
for the Christmas Eve banquet tonight.

In exchange for what?

Ten cases of soap, 20 sets of sheets,

15 packs of rice, six sets of pots
that their new chef doesn't really like,

and eight dozen eggs
for the eggnog tonight.

-All that for some trees?
-For some free trees. Yeah.

And…

a little one to brighten up someone's room
who's far away from home.

All right, let's, uh, finish unloading
these so we can get you back

so you can dive into that data drive,
meet the general,

then we have a few hours
before we put our party pants on.

[Erica] Okay. Come on.

-[buzz of conversation]
-[bells jingling]

[man] Andrew, over here!

-Yeah, that's it.
-Wow!

[Andrew] A flurry.

-[Joker] Coconut shavings away!
-[laughter]

And that's a white Christmas
in the tropics.

Oh.

Oh, wow.

You pack a dress like this
everywhere you go?

[laughs] Guess you're not the only one
who can horse-trade, Captain.

Does it look okay?

Yeah.

You look beautiful.

I like you in blue.

Good job, Andrew.

[laughs] I mean, I never knew
coconut could stand in for snow.

Yeah. Uh, it took us a while
to figure that out.

Last year, we tried
freeze-dried potatoes au gratin.

-[laughs]
-[sighs]

-[Andrew] And, uh… it wasn't pretty.
-[Erica] No?

-[Andrew] Hey, everybody, gather in.
-Oh, there they are.

Let's get this party started.

-[man] Oh, come on. Yeah, over here.
-[woman] Come on.

[Sunshine] Brother Bruce.

You ready for this, Auntie?

Let's do it.

Ah, ooh!

Hacha, hugua, tulu!

[cheering and applause]

[woman 1] Whoo-hoo!

[woman 2] Yeah!

-[whooping and cheering]
-So…

So this is
what a tropical Christmas is like?

Like Rockefeller Plaza with palm trees.

Oh! I see a few guests without drinks,

and drinks are our biggest mark-up,
so I best be on my way.

-See you in a bit.
-Okay.

-[laughter]
-[music playing]

[woman] Whoo!

He's, uh… always workin' an angle, huh?

Oh, yeah, pretty much.

Yeah, smooth-talker.
Ladies must love that.

Actually, not really.

Uh, he may seem
like he's got all the moves,

but you know
how Captain got his call sign, "Claws"?

Figured it was because he had his claws
in every pretty tourist passing through.

Uh, "CLAWS," as in,
"Can't Leave Anyone Without Santa."

Cap'n steps up
whenever anybody needs help.

Brings Christmas to everyone, everywhere.

Doesn't do anything else,

and that's why he can't keep a girl
and why he's always here every holiday.

I didn't know.

Didn't you ever wonder
about those living quarters of his?

The house of boxes and books?

-[both laughing]
-Yeah. Yeah, that one.

Captain gave up his officer's quarters

to make room for a family
comin' in from Hickam.

Since family housing was full,
Cap'n stepped up,

just like he always does.

And those boxes are donations
that come in throughout the year.

He stores them there
so they don't take up space on the base.

♪ …everyone said, 'cause I love you ♪

♪ I can't get you out my head
'Cause I love you ♪

-[man 1] So good, right? Yeah, love that!
-[man 2] Whoo!

[woman singing in Chamorro]

You want more power?
You add more solar panels,

and then you can have
your lights and stereo.

[laughing]

[man] Oh, yeah, that's great. Yeah!

-[Erica] Hey.
-[Andrew] Hey.

How much money do you need to raise
for the Drop?

-Ah, it's never enough.
-It's a good-sized crowd.

Should be. We plastered a bunch of flyers
at the resorts and downtown.

Hey, why is nobody dancing?

Secret weapon time.

Hey, Sunshine.

-[Sunshine] Yes, sir.
-Let's do it.

-Oh, it's time.
-Okay. I'll see you.

[song finishes]

-You're gonna wanna see this.
-[applause]

[applause continues]

-Here we go.
-[man] Okay!

-You're kidding!
-[woman] Whoo!

-[plays "I Saw Three Ships"]
-[crowd gasping]

[man] Whoo!

All right! Go!

-Yeah!
-[band joins in]

[chuckles]

♪ I saw three ships come sailin' in
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day ♪

♪ I saw three ships come sailin' in
On Christmas Day in the mornin' ♪

♪ Whither sailed those ships all three
On Christmas Day… ♪

Okay, for my next magic trick…

-My lady, would you like to dance?
-Oh, no, thank you.

-Is this a Washington thing?
-I'm just gonna hold off.

Why not?

'Cause I'm a terrible dancer.

-Come on.
-♪ All the bells on Earth shall ring… ♪

Just dance like no one's watching.

♪ On Christmas day in the mornin' ♪

-♪ All the souls on Earth… ♪
- Not gonna stop, are you?

-Never. Come on.
-♪ All the souls on Earth shall sing… ♪

-Fine. Because it's a good cause.
-♪ On Christmas Day in the mornin' ♪

Yeah, it's for a good cause. Exactly.

-[fiddle playing]
-[cheering]

[Andrew] All right!

Yeah.

-[man 1] All right, girl, all right! Whoo!
-[man 2] Whoo!

-Yeah, go, girl!
-[Andrew] Erica.

[whispers] Erica.

Maybe dance
like a few people are watchin'.

♪ And let us rejoice again
On Christmas Day… ♪

-Come on.
-♪ On Christmas Day ♪

♪ And let us rejoice again ♪

-What? It wasn't that bad.
-♪ In the mornin' ♪

-♪ I saw three ships… ♪
-Are you on a mission to embarrass me?

-♪ I saw three ships… ♪
-We've all got our missions here.

I just hope yours isn't
to close down our base.

I hope not, too.

-[man] Yeah!
-[woman] Whoo!

-Yeah!
-[man] Oh, yeah!

[cheering]

[band plays "The First Noel"]

I'd love to.

♪ The first Noel ♪

♪ The angels did say ♪

♪ Was to certain poor shepherds

♪ In fields where they lay ♪

♪ In fields where they lay ♪

♪ Keeping their sheep ♪

♪ On a cold winter's night ♪

-♪ That was so deep… ♪
-That's nice.

What is it that makes you
wanna help people?

I grew up on a farm.

-♪ Born is the King… ♪
-We had a few tough winters in a row.

-♪ Of Israel ♪
-We were really close to losing it all.

But then a bunch of our neighbors
all got together,

and they helped us through it.

My folks still live on that farm.

I'll never forget the kindness
those people showed us.

I guess I'm just trying to…

pay it forward.

♪ They looked up… ♪

-I get it.
-♪ And saw a star… ♪

My mom taught me the noblest thing to do
was find a need and fill it.

Find a hurt and heal it.

One of the Air Force core values
is service before self.

And, sometimes,
I wonder if I've drifted too far

from the real reason that I got
into politics in the first place.

Yesterday, I saw you give everything
that you had in your purse

to a little girl who you barely knew.

You're here.

And you're helping.

You know, I misjudged you.

I thought you were
this self-centered egotist,

wheeling and dealing for your own good.

-♪ Noel, Noel… ♪
-And?

-♪ Noel, Noel… ♪
-Waiting.

-Still waiting.
♪ Born is the King… ♪

Clearly, there's more to you
than meets the eye.

♪ Of Israel… ♪

-It's funny…
-♪ Noel, Noel… ♪

-I was gonna say the same thing about you.
-♪ Noel, Noel ♪

-♪ Born is the King… ♪
-Hey, Captain. Uh, fire dancers are ready.

-♪ Of Israel ♪
-[applause]

-Fire dancers?
-[woman] Fire!

[rapid drumming]

[typing on phone]

-Is something wrong?
-[beeps]

-[dancers chanting]
-[sighs] I missed three calls from DC.

-[Andrew] What?
-[Erica] Yeah.

It's, like, 4:30 in the morning there.

Yeah, I'm gonna wait a couple hours
before I call them back.

I'm pretty sure I know what it's about.

[Sandra] Our tallies are in, Andrew.

Thank you, ma'am.

[laughs]

What? We did, like, double our numbers…

Yeah. [laughs]

…since last year!

-Well done.
-Oh, thank you, sir.

[Andrew] But we're still gonna
have to prioritize our choices.

Rice, vegetables, seeds, canopy materials.

-I don't think there'll be much left.
-[Sandra] Mm.

What about generators?

I wish, but they're a big-ticket item.
We're still playing catch-up.

I keep thinking about Ilana
and her friends with no power,

no way to access a web connection
for school.

Well, Sampson's the only one who
stocks them, and he's not willing to play.

I might have an idea
that'll help him change his mind.

-[laughter and conversation]
-[woman 1] That's a great idea!

[woman 2] Honey, over here!

-[woman 3] I really just wanna…
-[woman 4] I want you to have…

-[man 1] Oh, I know!
-[man 2] Yeah, it's really good.

There he is. Wish me luck.

Oh, sister, you don't need luck.
Go get 'em.

[Erica clears throat] Okay.

-[man] Oh, that sounds fun!
-[woman] Yeah, that'd be great.

Mayor Sampson, hi. Erica Miller.
I work with Congresswoman Bradford.

[Sampson] On the Realignment
and Closure Commission.

-The same. Yes.
-[Sampson] Oh.

Island grapevine has it
you're here to try and shutter the base.

I'm here to make recommendations
about possible mission realignment.

Or closure.
I know how BRACC works, Miss Miller.

And I have to say, shutting this base
would bankrupt my business

and a third of the rest of the island.

I understand that, and I'm making sure
to include it all in my data collection.

But, Mr. Sampson, I'm not at liberty
nor inclined to talk about my report.

Fair enough.

I actually wanna chat briefly
about Operation Christmas Drop.

Okay. No, no. I already told Captain Jantz
those diesel generators are too expensive

for me to give away left and right.

Obviously. I mean, you're a businessman,
first and foremost.

-I'm not here about your generators.
-No?

No, I wanna make you
a business proposition.

Okay.

[Erica] Come with me.
I wanna introduce you to a friend of mine.

What do you know
about solar inverters, sir?

-[loud music playing]
-[buzz of conversation]

[Joker on PA]
Second round of rice, everybody.

-One bag per box. You know what to do.
-[feedback squeals]

-[Andrew] What?
-[Erica] Yes.

[Andrew laughing] That's incredible! Oh!

How? What did you say to him?

I told him about a couple of initiatives
out of Washington

that are encouraging businesses like his
to switch to renewable resources,

and Brother Bruce did the rest.

Wow.

Guys, Erica just got Sampson to donate
three solar-powered inverters to the Drop!

-[Sunshine] Oh!
-Yeah!

-Nice work, Erica!
-[cheering]

Thank you! [laughs]

Hey, boss. General wants to see the team
in the ready room.

-[woman] Whoo! Pass it to me.
-Come on.

Next up, snorkels, fish hooks, and masks!
Let's pack it up, people.

-[man] You heard him. Let's go!
-[woman] Yes! Go, go, go!

It's a rapidly intensifying
cat-four typhoon,

and the outermost bands of this monster
look like they'll make landfall

and sit on top of us in two days.

[Sandra] 130 to 150 mile an hour winds

in the right front quadrant.

Radius, 520 kilometers.

Can we get over top of it?

We can, but it's not gonna get
any presents delivered.

It doesn't matter.
I can't risk anything off the tarmac

with something this big in the way.

[Sandra] It's moving slowly,

building as it goes,
which is both good and bad news.

What are the chances
it's not gonna hit us?

-Slim to none.
-[Erica] What about the outer Islands?

They haven't recovered from the last one.

Thankfully, on its current trajectory, the
worst of this one will miss them, but--

Operation Christmas Drop
can't happen.

[Hatcher] Not on this schedule.

It may be after Christmas
before we get back in the air.

[sighs]

Then we need to work faster.

Load up. Go now.

Anyways, maybe the typhoon will veer off
in another direction.

The furthest island is 11 hours out
and 11 hours back. We just can't make it.

I won't put our people at risk.

But what we can do is keep sorting
and packing right up until we can't.

And hope for a Christmas miracle.

What?

They happen.

All right, people. Let's get to it.

[thunder rumbling]

[wind gusting]

All right, everybody, final items.

Let's make sure you got school supplies.
Let's start closing it up.

If your friends on the Hill
could see you now.

If they could see me now, I'd be fired.

[Joker] Okay, my little elves.

Bring it in.

Yeah, bring it in.

-Come on!
-What? It's a tradition.

-Every year?
-Yeah.

-[Erica] What's going on?
-Come on.

♪ Dashing through the snow ♪

♪ In a one-horse open sleigh ♪

♪ O'er the fields we go ♪

♪ Laughing all the way ♪

-Whoo!
-[laughter]

♪ Well, I don't sing well enough
To finish the rest of this song ♪

-[all] Wahey!
-[Sunshine] ♪ Jingle bells, jingle bells ♪

-♪ Jingle all the way ♪
-[cheering]

[all] ♪ Oh, what fun it is to ride ♪

♪ In a one-horse open sleigh ♪

♪ Hey! Jingle bells, jingle bells ♪

♪ Jingle all the way ♪

♪ Oh, what fun it is to ride ♪

♪ In a one-horse open sleigh, hey! ♪

Hm. You look good in a Santa hat.

[chuckles]

Erica, what the heck is going on?

Sorry, ma'am, I wasn't expecting you.

Sally was supposed to call and tell you
that I rerouted through Honolulu.

Yeah, I missed a few calls.

And the report that I was supposed
to have in my hands before I left.

But, congresswoman,
you didn't have to fly in.

Ma'am, I'm sorry to interrupt, but
I'm afraid, if anyone's to blame, it's me.

I diverted your associate here--

Captain, I don't know you,

but I recognize your face
from that photo in the newspaper.

You're part of the problem.

Now, would you please explain to me
what's going on,

because this is obviously
Operation Christmas Drop.

Yeah, but, like I said,
it's all done by donations.

It provides resources to people in need
over thousands of square miles.

People who don't vote in my district.

Now, how is this benefiting Americans?

Congresswoman, this base is
America's forward operating outpost

in a region of hostile--

Your commander already briefed me
on the base's mission.

Then you are aware the mission
of this base is to provide

a US-based war-fighting platform,

as well as a rapid-response
humanitarian relief program worldwide.

I'm going to Singapore in the morning,
weather permitting.

Erica, I think it's time you went home.

But I'm… I'm not done--

I'm gonna let Matt and his team
take this over,

and they can review
what you've found back in DC.

I want you back at your desk,
doing your job.

Lieutenant Bradley.

I better go pack.

Whoa, whoa, whoa.

What, just like that?

What happened to
"We're doing whatever it takes"?

You heard her. My job is on the line.

The winds are picking up,
and the typhoon is on its way.

If we speed up our packing, we can
get a drop off first, before it hits.

I'm done with the Drop.
And if my boss has her way, you are too.

Sorry.

[thunder rumbling]

[heavy rainfall]

Well, Lucky… [chuckles]

guess there's not much truth
to the island legend about you.

[ringing tone]

-Hey.
-Listen, I am so sorry you got blindsided.

-It's okay.
-She was supposed to go to Singapore.

-I kept trying your cell.
-Sal!

It's okay. I don't know
what I would have done differently,

even if I'd known she was coming, so…

Just finished packing
and saying goodbye to a friend.

That pilot?

Actually, this one is green
with four legs.

I've grown kind of fond of him.

You sure about coming back home now?

What can I do?

Bradford was crystal clear.

It's just not like you to give up.

I know. And this is the first Christmas
I've actually enjoyed in a while.

[wind whistling]

[thunder rumbling]

It reminds me of something.

Reminds you of what?

Of Christmas.

Like it used to be.

Sally, I have to go. [chuckles]

I've got something I have to finish.

Jake, how about
another cranberry and soda?

Comin' up.

You can go home to your family, man.
I'll lock up when I leave.

[laughs]

Thanks, Captain. Merry Christmas.

[car door slams]

[panting]

[door closes]

Of all the gin joints in all the towns
in all the world…

Don't you have a flight to catch?

-Could say the same thing to you.
-Drop's a bust.

Guess we're all out
of Christmas miracles this year.

-So, you're just gonna give up?
-Look who's talking.

[thunder crashing]

We should get you to the airport
while your flight can still take off.

I don't care about my flight.

It's yours I'm thinking about.
This weather doesn't have to ground you.

It has grounded me.

I just saw a Christmas tree
that made its way

all the way from Oregon
to San Diego to Saipan…

to my living room in Guam.

Where there's a will, there's a way…

especially at Christmas.

It's a lost cause.

The general grounded all transport.

There are no lost causes.

-Wishing it won't make it happen.
-It's not a wish.

It's a miracle.

I just talked to Travis.

He's been on the phone with
the Joint Typhoon Warning Center at Pearl.

They have a P-3 over top of the storm,
and they say it's rapidly degrading.

General Hatcher said it is up to you,

the mission commander,
to decide if we take off.

If we take off?

You called me Blitzen, right?

Isn't it my job to deliver presents
at Christmas?

[birdsong]

-[whirring]
-[man shouting]

Look at everyone, giving up their time
the day before Christmas.

Beautiful, isn't it?

-Yeah.
-Almost as beautiful as this.

Can I get everyone's attention, please?

The JTWC has just confirmed

they downgraded the system
to a tropical storm.

We are clear all the way
to Kapingamarangi atoll.

[cheering]

Whoo!

Then, Captain Jantz, you are green to go
with all three of Santa's sleighs.

-Awesome! Let's get this show on the road!
-You heard her, Trav.

-Fire it up.
-Roger that, Claws.

Andersen Tower, this is Santa's Helper 01.
Control departure time, 20 minutes.

[Erica] Oh, no.

[helicopter flying overhead]

-General. Lieutenant Colonel.
-Ma'am.

I thought I asked you
to stop this whole Christmas thing.

Yes, you did ask, congresswoman.

And I thought I was quite clear that
I wanted you on a plane stateside today.

You were clear, ma'am,
but there's too much for me to do here.

I'm sorry?

Respectfully, ma'am, what's happening here
is far more important

than what I'd be doing back home.

You're very close
to throwing it all away, Ms. Miller.

I'm gonna stay here and help.

And you should too.

I remember, when you first got elected,

the cornerstone of your campaign
was to make the world a better place.

You promised your constituents that
you would work on making a difference.

These people,

right here,

are making that difference.

I haven't seen any evidence--

Well, I can show you some, congresswoman.

Come fly with us today,
see what we do up there.

I don't think the optics--

[Sandra] No one has to know who you are
or where you're from.

Erica can fly with Captain Jantz
and his crew.

You come with me and mine.

Give it a chance, ma'am.

I'll meet you afterwards,
and I'll give you my report.

[chuckles]

Okay?

Okay.

[radio chatter]

Tower, this is Santa 01.
We're ready for departure.

[man] Roger, Santa 01. Clear for takeoff.
Operation Christmas Drop up and away.

[Erica] Sure is beautiful, huh?

I know what you mean.

Shouldn't you be keeping your eyes
on the road, Captain?

Sorry, momentarily distracted.

Aah. Can't deliver presents
without the right music.

[heavy bass thumping]

♪ Joy, joy to the world ♪

♪ Joy to the world ♪

♪ Joy, joy to the world ♪

♪ Joy to the world, yeah ♪

♪ Joy to the world, the time has come... ♪

[song continues]

All right, crew, we're coming up
on the first drop. Ready, Cargo?

-You bet.
-Cargo's ready, Captain.

[Andrew] Roger that. Three minutes out.

Erica, why don't you go back to watch?
Sunshine will hook you up.

-Seriously?
-Yeah.

Sure. Yeah!

♪ Joy to the world, yeah ♪

♪ Joy to the world ♪

[Sunshine] Put it on like a vest.

All right,
we're all buckled up back here, Cap.

[Andrew] Copy that, Cargo.

-Hold on to this.
-Okay.

Door's clear to open.

[gasps]

One minute out.

Acknowledge, Computer Drop Switch.

Set auto.

[Travis] Auto set.

-Thirty sec out.
-Copy.

Green light.

[buzzes]

[Sunshine] Whoo!

-Aah-ooh!
-[laughter and cheering]

-Yeah!
-Mmm!

[yelling]

-[buzzes]
-[grunts]

-Yeah!
-[Joker] Whoo!

[laughing] Whoo-hoo-hoo! Whoo!

-[Erica grunts] Yeah!
-[Sunshine] Whoo!

[Erica] Yeah!

Whoo!

[Sunshine] Whoo-hoo! Nice one, Erica!

[Ilana] Cool! Toys! And books!

[children yelling]

[Ilana] Uncle, look at all this stuff!
Look what Santa brought!

-[cheering]
-[children] Bye! Bye!

Yeah!

Hey. Is everything okay?

Better than okay!

This is what Christmas
is supposed to feel like.

Yeah, it is.

-[Sunshine] Whoo!
-[Joker] Whoo!

-[Andrew] All right!
-[Joker] Yeah!

-[Erica] Whoo!
-[laughing]

-[Erica] We did it!
-[Andrew] We did!

[Joker] We did that!

[Andrew] The other planes are reporting
100% successful drops too!

[Erica] Wow!

-[Sunshine] So good.
-[Andrew] Way to go. Way to go.

Thank you, Lieutenant Colonel Blaine.

That was… spectacular.

And very moving.

Well, you are more
than welcome, congresswoman.

Please let me know if there is
anything else I can help you with

once you guys have had your talk.

The base could cut waste
and maximize efficiencies

by privatizing housing
and base support functions,

like the gym, dining hall,

postal support,
all contracted out to reduce the overhead.

I'll have to see the numbers.

Yeah. Sally is working with Matt
on getting them for you

by the time you hit Singapore.

I don't know if it's gonna be enough.

Ma'am, my task here
was to find the inefficiencies.

The problem is there just aren't enough
to justify shutting down this base.

These men and women are working diligently
at stretching every cent they have.

Okay? Operation Christmas Drop
is just one example of that.

Lieutenant Colonel Blaine
walked me through the donations,

the training, volunteer time.

The Joint Chiefs call this island
an unsinkable aircraft carrier.

Couple that with the training and the work
with the outlying communities,

you have a very compelling argument
to take this base off of the list.

Did you see…

the look on the faces of the islanders
when they saw our planes coming in?

I did, ma'am.

I haven't seen that kind of joy
in a very long time.

To see our military making
that kind of difference in people's lives,

that was what Christmas should look like.

-You know, I couldn't agree more.
-You're very good at what you do.

And I'm so glad you're working with me.

See you back in DC.

There is an empty desk there
waiting for someone like you to fill it.

It would be my honor, ma'am.

And thank you… for reminding me
why I got into this in the first place.

Merry Christmas, Erica.

Merry Christmas, Angela.

[Erica sobbing]

-So, was that a "you're fired" hug?
-Eh…

[laughs] No.

I just wanna thank you…

for getting me involved
in everything around here.

Helping play Santa
got my Christmas spirit back.

[chuckles]

Somethin' told me you had it all along.

[Erica] So…

Christmas Eve
on the other side of the world.

[Andrew] Yeah. It's not home,
but we try to make it feel that way.

It's not really home though,
not without family.

Yeah, well,
my family is 8,000 miles away, so…

Actually, they're only
about 80 yards away.

They flew in this afternoon.

They're getting ready for Christmas dinner
at the general's house.

What are you talking about?

You're not the only one
that can cut through red tape.

[laughter]

[Andrew's mother] Thank you for having us.
This is really great.

[laughing] Uh… What?

That-- that must've cost a fortune.

Didn't cost a cent.

There was a TV news crew already flying in
to cover the Drop.

A news reporter owed me a favor.

There was some space on the plane,
and I guess I was…

feeling inspired.

Someone once made me see
that, sometimes in life,

you just have to find the right angle.

You're incredible!

What about your family?

-♪ I heard the bells… ♪
-I just talked to my dad and my stepmom.

I'm gonna see them for a week
at New Year's.

A whole week?

-Yeah.
-That's awesome!

Yeah. I have to give my stepmom a chance.

♪ And wild and sweet the words… ♪

Can you spend Christmas
with my family this year?

-♪ Peace on Earth… ♪
-A tropical Christmas.

-Maybe we'll throw snorkeling in.
-Andrew.

You don't have to talk me into anything.

♪ Till ringing, singing on its way ♪

♪ The world revolved from night to day ♪

♪ A voice, a chime ♪

♪ A chant sublime ♪

♪ Of peace on Earth

♪ Goodwill to men ♪

♪ And in despair ♪

♪ I bowed my head ♪

♪ "There is no peace on Earth," I said ♪

♪ For hate is strong ♪

♪ And mocks the song ♪

♪ Of peace on Earth ♪

♪ Goodwill to men ♪

♪ Then pealed the bells ♪

♪ More loud and deep ♪

♪ Oh, God's not dead and not asleep ♪

♪ The wrong shall fail ♪

♪ The right prevail ♪

♪ With peace on Earth ♪

♪ Goodwill to men ♪

♪ Peace on Earth ♪

♪ Goodwill to men ♪

♪ Oh, peace on Earth ♪

♪ Goodwill to men ♪

♪ Peace on Earth ♪

♪ Goodwill to men ♪