The operation involved division troops conducting airdrop training from C-130 Hercules as well as conducting mock airpower attacks by an A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and F-16 Fighting Falcons. The airdrops consisted of three C-130s conducting two fly-bys of the airfield, dropping a total of 240 soldiers.

“(It was a) total Air Force team effort” in accomplishing the mission, said Lt. Col. Gregory Otey, 745th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron commander.

The 745th EAS sent five aircraft and about 50 crewmembers, maintainers and support people to Balad Air Base, Iraq, to support the operation.

“From active-duty to Air Force Reserve Command C-130s from four different (stateside) locations, from intel to maintenance to three different airframes providing escort to en route support, we combined once again to show that truly no one comes close,” Colonel Otey said. “For us, ‘victory’ was defined (by) 240 jumpers on time, on target, and that is what we did.”

While other Army units have conducted airdrop missions in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom, this was the first time the 82nd had done so, said Army officials. The 82nd had plans for airdrops during both operations Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom. But those plans were scrubbed both times. Having been in Iraq for nearly one year without jumping resulted in a need for soldiers to participate in one to maintain their currency.

For the airlifters, the opportunity to help with the training was a chance to “showcase our capabilities.”

“Anytime we get to do a ‘real-world’ airdrop, it’s exciting,” said Maj. Mike Minihan, 745th EAS operations director and ground mission commander for the exercise. “Every mission we do here supports the Army. Every mission is important. Every mission we prepare and execute with focus and precision. Airdrop, however, is the pinnacle in the Herc world. The stakes are higher. Everybody’s watching. Simply put, it’s on time, on target, or it’s wrong.”

The event kicked off with a strafing run by a 354th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron A-10 against an abandoned building near the airfield. Minutes later, the F-16s of the 510th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron dropped 12 precision bombs on a simulated target in a nearby wadi. The fighters then performed close-air support missions for the first drop of 120 soldiers to ensure the safety and security of the operation. For the second drop, F-15 Eagles from the 391st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron took over the close-air support role.

“This was an outstanding opportunity to showcase our capabilities, not only in joint operations with the Army, but also within the Air Force,” said Capt. Mike Fellona, the head planner for the operation from the 745th EAS. During the mission at any time, there were as many as 16 aircraft from C-130s to fighters, helicopters and a Predator airborne supporting the operation.