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Operation Popcorn a successful mission

  • Published
  • By Capt. Cathleen Snow
  • 920th Rescue Wing Public Affairs
PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  A military operation that a Space Coast boy scout troop commenced in the fall has achieved mission success.

A group of nearly 80 Reserve Airmen serving in Afghanistan from the 920th Rescue Wing here received the crunchy snacks just in time for the holidays.

"The squadron members are really loving it," said Lt. Col. Joe Alcorn, HH-60G Pave Hawk pilot and commander of the deployed Airmen. "It's something you can't otherwise get here, and I think it reminds folks of home."

Boy scouts from Troop 300 in Melbourne, Fla. presented 10 cases of assorted popcorn, from caramel to microwave "kettle" corn, to Lt. Col. Tony Cunha, 920th Rescue Wing Operations Support Squadron Commander and the troop's assistant troop master, on behalf of the 920th RQW Commander, Col. Jeffrey Macrander, Nov. 7, at their weekly meeting.

He subsequently had it shipped overseas. The Airmen even used it as their primary fuel during a 5K fun run held at the camp.

"Letters and care packages from home have always uplifted the spirit of warriors serving their country in a foreign land thousands of miles away," said Alcorn. "The gesture was an overwhelming success, especially coming from our local community."

The boys were inspired by the high number of overseas deployments 920th RQW Airmen go on, and by the nature of their mission of saving lives. To support the 920th, they decided to commence Operation Popcorn, according to Ms. Cathy Williamson, the popcorn kernel of the highest order for the operation, not to mention a "former" Marine staff sergeant.

The boys went to work on their assigned mission collecting donations to turn their idea into realty and said they are enthusiastic about sending the treat to the nearly 100 Rescue Wing Airmen from here currently serving in Afghanistan.

"It's a good idea," said scouts Tyler Butler, 12, and Max Thomas, 13, both of Melbourne.

Troop 300 is not only one of the oldest scout clubs in the area with its roots reaching back 50 years, but it's also the largest with nearly 90 boys.

Cunha's son, Zachary, 12 yrs old, is also a member and they boys do lots of activities. Due to Cunha's connection with the military and its mission partners, the boys enjoy trips to interesting places in and around the Space Coast, such as camping at Kennedy Space Center's Rocket Garden last fall.

The 920th Rescue Wing is an Air Force Reserve combat-search-and-rescue wing here and for the past 50 years was tasked as the primary rescue force for NASA serving as guardians to the astronauts.

For more information on the 920th Rescue Wing, visit us at www.920rqw.afrc.af.mil check our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.