Fifty-One Airdrop Missions Completed In A Month
A total force integrated C-130J Hercules unit broke their
squadron's monthly airdrop record Jan. 28 and then went on to
shatter that record by the month's end at Kandahar Airfield,
Afghanistan. The 772nd Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, which has
been in place at the airfield since March 2009, had a previous
record of 40 airdrop missions in a one-month period that the
squadron soared past in January by completing 51 airdrop
missions.
"It feels good to be setting records, but what you'll find with
most of the guys here is that it doesn't matter if you break a
record, it matters that you complete the mission and get the
supplies where they need to go so we can help those guys on the
ground," said Lt. Col. Walt Ord, 772nd EAS aircraft commander who
was the leader of the crew that completed the 41st airdrop.
The record-breaking airdrop consisted of 20 bundles of water,
meals ready-to-eat and fuel being dropped to support forward
operating bases in the heart of Afghanistan. "It feels good knowing
we're supplying the troops on the ground and allowing them to
perform their missions more effectively with these much-needed
supplies," said Tech. Sgt. David Pirie, 772nd EAS loadmaster. "It's
also great knowing we're contributing to the warfighting
effort."
Tech Sgt Josh Romero
Airdrop missions take about 4-5 hours apiece of advance planning
by the tactics team to ensure no conflictions with other missions
in execution. Then once the cargo is bundled and ready for flight,
the loadmasters load the bundles, joint airdrop inspectors ensure
the load is rigged properly, and the aircraft is ready for airdrop.
The crew then flies to one of many drop zones where the back of the
aircraft is opened up for the bundles to be released at a different
altitude depending on location. The bundles are then released and
float down to earth with assistance from attached parachutes. This
month, the bundles were 99 percent recoverable and undamaged -
exceeding the Army's planned expectations of estimating for only 90
percent of the bundles to be usable.
In addition to successfully completing 51 airdrops weighing more
than 1.1 million pounds, the 772nd EAS also moved close to 4,000
passengers and flew more than 420 sorties with approximately 400
flight hours during the month of January.
The 772nd EAS is currently comprised of members from 41st
Airlift Squadron from Little Rock Air Force Base, AR, and two
squadrons that fall under the 403rd Airlift Wing out of Keesler Air
Force Base, Miss. The 345th Airlift Squadron active-duty component
and the 815th Airlift Squadron comprised of Reservists, make up the
Air Force's first C-130J total force integrated unit, which joined
together in August 2010. The active associate units share aircraft
while working together to both fly and maintain the C-130s, an
initiative that leverages the combined resources of the Reserves
and active-duty force.
"Everyone is the same and we all come together in a seamless
operation to keep the guys outside the wire safer," said Lt. Col.
Craig Williams, 772nd EAS commander. "Where we can fly to in one
hour could be a three-day trip through the mountains that subjects
those drivers to indirect fire, improvised explosive devices and
other hazards ... we're literally saving lives every day."
ANN Salutes by Senior Airman Melissa B. White 451st Air
Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs.