Formation airdrop provides needed supplies, saves lives

Published June 24, 2011
By Master Sgt. Mary Davis
455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- Soldiers in an austere province in Afghanistan received much needed provisions thanks to the joint efforts of the Alaska and New York Air National Guard units during their first formation airdrop.

Members of the 774th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron dropped approximately 20,000 pounds of cargo to Soldiers on the ground in the Oruzgan Province June 22. The aircrews were tasked to perform two back-to-back missions, which tested their skills and strengthened them as a team.

"We flew a two-ship formation airdrop of C-130s supporting Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force in southern Afghanistan," said the 774th EAS Commander Lt. Col. Rich Adams from Anchorage, Alaska. "We supported them by carrying food, fuel, ammunition and water to support forward operating bases in southern Afghanistan."

Despite having air crews from two separate Air National Guard units, they had one mission in mind - getting supplies downrange to combat forces on the ground.

"We delivered about 10 containers per aircraft at about 1,000 pounds per container," said Master Sgt. Timothy Griffin, a C-130 loadmaster from Buffalo, N.Y. "I ensured the cargo was balanced, so the weight was distributed evenly on the aircraft."

Sergeant Griffin worked with the Army riggers at Bagram Airfield to prepare cargo pallets for the drop using the Improved Container Delivery System.

"The system enables accuracy by adjusting to wind data, terrain and other vital information affecting the airdrop," said Capt. Tom Bradford, an active-duty C-130 navigator from the 39th Airlift Squadron at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. "The ICDS collects data so aircraft speed and altitude can be adjusted."

Captain Bradford provided his airdrop expertise to ANG aircrews and served as an extra set of eyes on the flight. He also operates as continuity between ANG units completing 90-day rotations in theater demonstrating the Total Force concept.

"It's challenging to work with different aircrews, but one benefit is learning how people do things differently," said the Eighty Four, Penn., native. "I've been deployed to this area twice, so I advise them about various aspects of the drop zones."

There is an inherent amount of risk when flying during the daytime, that is doubled when flying more than one aircraft to the drop area, said Lt. Col. Chris Thurn, C-130 pilot and mission commander.

"These types of missions are typically flown at night," he said. "The second aircraft had to perform fluid travel maneuvers from the 3 to 9 o'clock positions to mitigate threats and keep from becoming predictable."

Exercises and training is a huge aspect of Colonel Thurn's work back at his home station. This helped his team perform flawlessly during the airdrop.

"As an instructor pilot and evaluator pilot, I put a lot of emphasis on training to make sure we are prepared," he said. "It's the long-term effects of what we do on a daily basis that makes a difference. If I can help those on the ground, I'm proud to do this."

The commander echoed Colonel Thurn's sentiments.

"We take pride in doing this, because it keeps people from having to drive in convoys. Airdropping supplies, keeps people out of harm's way and keeps war fighters in the fight."