the operation was first conducted in 1951. then, the aircrew of a wb-29 aircraft assigned to the 54th weather reconnaissance squadron, formerly assigned to andersen air force base in guam, was flying a mission to the south of guam over the micronesian atoll of kapingamarangi. when they saw the islanders waving to them, the crew quickly gathered some items they had on the plane, placed them in a container with a parachute attached and dropped the cargo as they circled again.