F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo. -- The second annual cookie launch takes place Monday from 6:30 a.m. to noon in the Trail's End Club to give about 550 Airmen living in base dormitories a treat for the holidays.

Cookies should be dropped off in the circle drive at Trail's End during those hours to volunteers, who are acting as Santa's elves.

"The idea of the cookie launch is to give Airmen a taste of home since they can't be with their families," said Chief Master Sgt. David Green, 90th Space Wing command chief. "We're trying to put together cookie bags for 550 to 600 unaccompanied, single Airmen who live in the dorms."

After receiving the cookies, volunteers inside Trail's End will create bags of cookies and other goodies to deliver to Warren's first sergeants that afternoon. First sergeants will then distribute the bags to their Airmen living in the dorms that evening and during the next few days.

Volunteers are still needed to create the cookie bags, and cookie donations are always welcome.

There is no preference for a certain type of cookie, but holiday-themed ones are a nice touch, Chief Green said.

"The Airmen are so pleased at being thought of, they don't ask for any specific cookie," he said.

Cookies are donated from members across the base, off base sponsors and off-base bakeries and cookie suppliers. Sponsors also donate candy canes and other bits and pieces to decorate the bags.

"The Cowboy Chapter of the Air Force Association helps us out tremendously with purchased cookies and candy canes, and by soliciting donations from community businesses," said Melody Carey, wife of Col. Mike Carey, 90th Space Wing commander.

There is also a need for boxes to carry the cookie bags, said Chief Green. Empty cardboard boxes dropped off at Trail's End Monday morning would be greatly appreciated.

Activities similar to the cookie launch have been going on at Warren for years, but they were not well-publicized. The Senior Spouse Leadership Group, which includes the spouses of the group and squadron commanders, deputy commanders and the command chief, came up with the cookie launch in 2005 and began the project that year.
"We all know how hard it is to be far away from family during the holidays, especially if it's the first time away as it for some of our young Airmen. The cookie launch is a small way to bring a little bit of the comforts of home to our troops in the dorms. We all just want to make sure F.E. Warren's troops know they are cared for and appreciated," said Mrs. Carey.