Just dropping in: 37 AS performs airdrops in France

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Kyle Gauthier, 37th Airlift Squadron C-130J Super Hercules aircraft pilot, left, Lt. Col. Michael Heddinger, 86th Operations Support Squadron director of strategic communication, center, and 1st Lt. Catherine Schwarzler, 37th AS C-130J pilot, right, prepare for take off at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, July 18, 2023. The 86th Airlift Wing is the Department of Defense’s premier power projection platform and the U.S. Air Force’s largest mobility hub.

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Just dropping in: 37 AS performs airdrops in France

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Michael Heddinger, 86th Operations Support Squadron director of strategic communication, center, evaluates Lt. Col. Kyle Gauthier, 37th Airlift Squadron C-130J Super Hercules aircraft pilot, left, and 1st Lt. Cathrine Schwarzler, 37th AS C-130J pilot, right, during their check ride over Germany, July 18, 2023. Check rides allow an opportunity for members of the 37th Airlift Squadron to be evaluated annually on their ability to perform key duties and adapt to unforeseen events while flying.

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Just dropping in: 37 AS performs airdrops in France

U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Catherine Schwarzler, 37th Airlift Squadron C-130J Super Hercules aircraft pilot, glances out the window of a C-130J while flying over Germany, July 18, 2023. The C-130J is the newest C-130 model and entered the Air Force’s inventory in 1999.

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Just dropping in: 37 AS performs airdrops in France

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Destiny Panega, 37th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, prepares to manually release a cargo delivery system bundle over the Grostenquin drop zone, France, July 18, 2023. Panega was evaluated during the flight for her annual check ride which tested her abilities as a loadmaster on standard procedures and ability to respond to unexpected issues mid-flight.

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Just dropping in: 37 AS performs airdrops in France

A simulated heavy equipment pallet drops from a U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules aircraft assigned to the 37th Airlift Squadron over the Grostenquin drop zone, France, July 18, 2023. The 37th AS regularly performs airdrops with simulated heavy equipment in an effort to maintain their tactical airlift and airdrop skills.

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Just dropping in: 37 AS performs airdrops in France

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Kyle Gauthier, 37th Airlift Squadron C-130J Super Hercules aircraft pilot, flies a C-130J in a two-aircraft formation over Germany, July 18, 2023. The C-130J can climb faster and higher, fly further at higher cruise speeds, and take off and land in shorter distances compared to older C-130 models.

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Just dropping in: 37 AS performs airdrops in France

U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Catherine Schwarzler, 37th Airlift Squadron C-130J Super Hercules aircraft pilot, adjusts control settings on a C-130J while flying over Germany, July 18, 2023. The C-130J is capable of operating from rough, dirt strips and is the prime transport for airdropping troops and equipment into hostile areas.

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Just dropping in: 37 AS performs airdrops in France

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Kyle Gauthier, 37th Airlift Squadron C-130J Super Hercules aircraft pilot, flies a C-130J over Germany, July 18, 2023. The 37th Airlift Squadron is home to 14 C-130Js and has provided tactical airlift capabilities for more than 80 years.

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Just dropping in: 37 AS performs airdrops in France

Members of the 86th Logistics Readiness Squadron load cargo on a U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules aircraft assigned to the 37th Airlift Squadron at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, July 18, 2023. The cargo was airdropped on the Grostenquin drop zone, France during a routine training mission with the 37th AS.

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Just dropping in: 37 AS performs airdrops in France

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Destiny Panega, 37th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, tightens a cargo restraint on a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, July 18, 2023. Loadmasters calculate the weight distribution of cargo and passengers to ensure the aircraft is properly balanced throughout the duration of flights.

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Just dropping in: 37 AS performs airdrops in France

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Destiny Panega, 37th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, secures equipment on a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, July 18, 2023. Loadmasters are responsible for loading, securing and escorting cargo and passengers on flights all over the world.

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Just dropping in: 37 AS performs airdrops in France

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Hayden Thomas, 37th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, performs pre-flight inspections on a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, July 18, 2023. The 37th AS regularly performs training flights to ensure they are prepared to project power from the Global Gateway at any time.

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Just dropping in: 37 AS performs airdrops in France

Published July 21, 2023
By Staff Sgt. Megan M. Beatty
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Kyle Gauthier, 37th Airlift Squadron C-130J Super Hercules aircraft pilot, left, Lt. Col. Michael Heddinger, 86th Operations Support Squadron director of strategic communication, center, and 1st Lt. Catherine Schwarzler, 37th AS C-130J pilot, right, prepare for take off at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, July 18, 2023. The 86th Airlift Wing is the Department of Defense’s premier power projection platform and the U.S. Air Force’s largest mobility hub.