US drops first CDS at Polish Air Base

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jonathan Stefanko
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
POWIDZ AIR BASE, Poland --  For the first time, a container delivery system was air dropped by the 37th Airlift Squadron onto Powidz Air Base, Poland, April 15, 2015 during an aviation detachment rotation.

The CDS is a method to drop supplies from an aircraft to ground personnel. Supplies are loaded onto a delivery system, and then airdropped from the aircraft onto specific landing zones with the help of a cargo parachute.

"Being part of a team to be the first to drop this type of cargo at Powidz is truly amazing," said Airman 1st Class Brandon Razenell, 37th Airlift Squadron loadmaster. "I didn't find out until after the drop that we were the first and to know we are setting the pace for future training is great."

The ability to airdrop supplies onto landing zones is a critical component to resupplying ground troops. Now able to incorporate the CDS training at Powidz, the 37th Airlift Squadron Airmen hope to hone this skill during future training here.

"We used to have to fly to an off-site location to airdrop CDS bundles and that could be a hassle for the guys driving long distances to collect and bring back," Razenell said. "Now it takes only minutes to reach the drop zone, making it easier on everyone involved and allowing more time to train."

While an invaluable capability for the 37th AS Airmen to practice, their Polish counterparts have a lot to gain here as well.

"I love to see training done here more often," said Polish air force St. Chor. Jarostaw Koztowski, 33rd Air Base loading zone survey manager. "I have been working with the U.S. military for four years now during the rotations and every single year it has gotten better. The experience gained is greatly appreciated and since we can't have an American team here full time these flying training deployments are very valuable to us."

Though it took two years to accomplish, the allied nations look to the future of what can be done at Powidz.

"I hope we will be able to start dropping heavy equipment like generators or vehicles," Razenell said. "The training here is already fantastic and is only improving as the years continue, I can't wait to do it again."

As the training concluded April 17, the U.S. and Polish airmen take time together to reflect on the skills gained, milestones completed and friendships made.