NHON CHO, Vietnam — Santa Claus played it smart this Christmas.

All these years he has had a terrible time in Vietnam. His eight reindeer constantly bogged down in gummy, red mud. The runners on his sleigh splintered and broke on the bumpy, snowless airstrips.

It was more than one man could bear, even a patient old soul like St. Nick.

So he went to the 7th Air Force to see if it could lend a hand.

As a result, the Air Force has lent Santa six C7 Caribou cargo planes for his deliveries in Vietnam. The planes came with the good wishes of the men of the 483rd Tactical Airlift Wing headquartered at Cam Ranh Bay.

The airmen even decorated the planes, putting a large painting of Santa on each of their noses. They renamed the planes “Stantabous.”

Now Santa will be able to visit some 50 isolated outposts from noon Dec. 24 until late in the afternoon Christmas day.

The men from the 483rd also donated small gifts such as cigars, egg nog, and other items to make Christmas a little brighter for the soldiers who serve at remote, almost forgotten posts throughout the republic.

For those who don’t really believe in Santa Claus, project Santabou was begun last year when a decorated C7 flew to various Special Forces camps, dispensing Christmas cheer to the isolated soldiers.

The idea was so well received that Santabou ’68 will feature participation by all six squadrons in the 483rd Tactical Air Wing. The gifts came from the pilots and crew members of the unit who daily supply the outposts with food, ammunition, mail and necessary commodities.