13 nations jump-start International Jump Week

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class D. Blake Browning
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  U.S. service members along with military personnel from 13 partner nations traveled to Bitburg, Germany, between July 10, 2017 and July 14, 2017, to participate in International Jump Week.

“The intended goal is to get partner nations on the same page in terms of air dropping parachutists,” said Capt. Christopher Deans, 37th Airlift Squadron Mission commander for international jump week.

The differences in techniques, parachutes, and other ways of dropping paratroopers initiate this training year after year.

“We have a standardized practice now working with the 435th Contingency Response Group,” said Deans. “If we ever have to go into a joint operation we’ll all be on the same page.”

During the week-long mission service members battled adverse weather conditions while dropping approximately 500 paratroopers.

“We were able to use every single parachute that we have,” said Deans. “We were also able to deal with a little bit of weather this week, and a couple days we had to weather cancel, so majority of the work was done in one day.”

Throughout adversity Deans said three lifts were completed in Bitburg to make sure all of the jumpers were able to accomplish their mission.

Additionally, 37th Airlift Squadron Airmen performed formation flying pilot training in transit to Bitburg.

“Exercises like this allow us to network and build relations with our allies,” said Tech. Sgt. Luke Hightower, 435th Contingency Response Group contingency air traffic controller. “It’s a good chance to practice techniques, tactics and procedures.”