Team McChord families celebrate the holidays with Jingle Jamboree

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. -- 

Team McChord service members and families celebrated the annual Jingle Jamboree holiday celebration in hanger three at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, Dec. 9, 2023.

The holiday celebration falls directly in line with the 62d Airlift Wing’ mission priority three, focuses on developing ready Airmen and families. It establishes a supportive and inclusive environment encouraging bonding, community engagement and interactive opportunities, providing a platform for families to become more resilient.

Many units collaborated to ensure success of the Jingle Jamboree. The event received support from various contributors including, the Pierce Military and Business alliance, the McChord thrift store, 62d Comptroller Squadron booster club, Armed Forces Bank, and the JBLM First’s Sergeants Council. Additionally, more than a 59 Team McChord Airmen and their families volunteered to plan and set up the event, and other units, along with 12 squadrons, came together to provide their services to help support the celebration.

“Such events come at a cost, demanding time, talent and resources from the community,” stated U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Timothey Hodgin, 62d Airlift Wing command chief. “Resources are usually secured through relationships with our community partners, while Airmen contribute both time and talent along with significant efforts from our military spouses. This event would not have been possible without the support of Airmen, their families and our community partners!”

In order to commemorate the event, the 62d Medical Squadron donated their time to take pictures of kids and service members with Santa. Despite the rain common to the Pacific Northwest, about 500 families attended the annual holiday celebration. After children took pictures with Santa, they received toys provided by Alice Richard of Operation Homefront.

“Events like Jingle Jamboree are important for Team McChord Airmen and families because it takes deliberate effort to develop an Airman culture,” said Hodgin. “Especially on an Army-led joint base, where Airmen are severely outnumbered. Events crafted by Airmen, foster team development, resilience, and nurture a vital sense of community.”

According to Shannon Juedemen, spouse to U.S. Air Force Capt. Dylan Juedemen, an instructor pilot, with the 62d Operation Support Squadron. Juedemen, the representation of various squadrons truly demonstrated the unity of our extensive Air Force family here at JBLM especially during the holiday season.

“This was our first time as a family attending the Jingle Jamboree at JBLM and it was absolutely fantastic,” said Juedemen. “Our son loved playing in the security forces truck, eating the yummy pancakes and running up and down the ramp of the C-17 [Globemaster III].”