37th AS assists in international lift

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jonathan Bass
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Clear skies and a cold breeze added to the atmosphere of the moment while two crews assigned to the 37th Airlift Squadron, here, assisted their passengers’ mission for the day: To jump out of a perfectly good C-130J Super Hercules.

November 28-Dec. 2, marked the most recent iteration of International Jump Week, an exercise held bi-annually with NATO allies. On Nov. 30, two Hercules de-iced on the Ramstein flightline, picked up more than 100 paratroopers, and flew them to their drop zone.

Part of the purpose of the exercise is to support the squadron’s ‘forward ready now’ mentality, said Senior Airman Patrick Cassidy, 37th AS loadmaster.

“The importance of a day like this is to demonstrate that we have the capability to go and be forward ready now,” said Cassidy. “Basically if the call comes in, we can go anywhere in the world and deploy our troops.”

While practicing and demonstrating the capabilities of both the C-130J and the Airmen who operate and maintain the aircraft is a large piece to the puzzle, it isn’t the only piece by any stretch of the imagination.

The mission also served as a training opportunity for some of the crew. The co-pilot, Capt. Peter Wolber, is new to the ‘J’ model of the aircraft. This meant that the aircraft commander, Maj. Corey Preston, 37th AS assistant director of operations, had the chance to guide his co-pilot through the mission.

“We had several instances arise that challenged us as a crew,” said Preston. “But with solid teamwork and communication we were to complete our mission. Our goal was to make sure the jumpers made their mark. Once we tackled the challenges, we were able to achieve our goal.”

Over the drop zone, a ‘no drop’ call had to be made because two civilian aircraft flew into the air space. Situations like this prepare air crews in a manner that normal training can’t.

“The aircraft weren’t on radios so we couldn’t relay a message to them,” said Preston. “But working with our crews we were able to keep our jumpers safe, while only extending the mission slightly, and ultimately succeed. Situations like this make us a better crew in the end.”

The minus 6 degrees Celsius weather couldn’t stop the Airmen of the 37th AS, neither could unforeseen complications from civilian aircraft. Clear skies and a cold breeze beckoned the crew to come and test their mettle. They passed. Mission accomplished.