05/26/2011 The airdrop capability being used regularly by the US Air Force supports the deployed forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. Indeed, a radical change in tactics can be enabled by this capability whereby the ground forces receive valet delivery and can have an ops tempo and security enhanced by air dropping. Because logistics supply is a key target of adversaries, the ability of the ground forces to move without heavy re-supply capability gives them an option to move quickly, be dispersed and reduced supply vulnerabilities.
[slidepress gallery=’c-130-airdrop-over-iraq’]
Credit: U.S. Air Forces Central Public Affairs
- These photos show some of the air dropping capability being demonstrated every day in theater. In the first photo, U.S. Air Force loadmasters, Senior Master Sgt. Archie Branton and Staff Sgt. Stacie Shogan, look over a C-130 Hercules airdrop checklist before performing an airdrop over Iraq, March 26.
- In the second photo, U.S. Air Force Airmen load a pallet onboard a C-130 Hercules at Baghdad International Airport, March 27.
- In the third photo, U.S. Air Force loadmaster Senior Master Sgt. Archie Branton waits to release a Container Delivery System bundle for an airdrop from the back of a C-130 Hercules over Iraq, March 26.
- In the fourth photo, Branton prepares to chalk a C-130 Hercules after landing at Baghdad International Airport, March 26.
- In the fifth photo, Branton, releases a Container Delivery System bundle from the back of a C-130 Hercules during a airdrop mission over Iraq, March 26.
- In the sixth photo, Branton, waits for clearance to release a Container Delivery System bundle from the back of a C-130 Hercules during a airdrop mission over Iraq, March 26.
- In the final photo, U.S. Air Force loadmaster Staff Sgt. Stacie Shogan waits to release a Container Delivery System bundle for an airdrop from the back of a C-130 Hercules over Iraq, March 26.