OPJ brings holiday cheer to local children Published Dec. 14, 2015 By Senior Airman Jason Wiese 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- The 90th Missile Wing hosted its annual Operation Provide Joy event in the Fall Hall Community Center Dec. 12, here. Each year, local children have the opportunity to visit the base to play games, create arts and crafts, meet Santa Claus and many other activities, said 1st Lt. Lindsey Byrd, 321st Missile Squadron missile combat crew commander and OPJ Board Chairman. "It was awesome," Byrd said. "I'm pretty sure they left tired and exhausted from such fun." The 134 kids in attendance were also given a bag of toys and a holiday dinner for their families to take home. The event was a joint effort between the Salvation Army and volunteers from around base, she said. Airmen from the 321st MS typically organize and man the event each year, but volunteers help from across the 90th Missile Wing. Capt. Carli Frasier, 321st MS missile combat crew commander, has been part of four OPJ events. She was board chairman last year and helped Byrd put it on this year. "I think it's really important to give back," Frasier said. "It's so magical. There's one kid who's been here all four years I've been here, and you can just see how excited he is every time." Twelve-year-old Mya Hernandez, attended the event and said she had a lot of fun playing in the jump house and having her face painted. She said she was very excited to meet Santa later that afternoon. Santa Claus and his elves, who interacted with the children throughout the event, were a hit. Byrd said securing their participation in the event is only a matter of giving them a call because this is exactly the kind of thing Santa enjoys. "Santa loves this kind of stuff," said Jangles, chief elf and OPJ participant. Byrd called the OPJ event a resounding success. "It wasn't just about the base," she said. "It was about the relationship between the community and the base." People interested in participating in next year's OPJ can contact the 321st MS at 773-4952.