D-M holds first multilift airdrop

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Tim Beckham
  • 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Members from Davis-Monthan held the first multilift HC-130 airdrop Aug. 15 on the flightline.

Aircrew members from the 79th Rescue Squadron provided the airdrops for members of the 943rd Rescue Group so the pararescue Airmen could accomplish their jump training requirements.

"It allows the different portions of the combat search and rescue triad to interoperate at our home station while accomplishing multiple training events -- both for the HC-130 crews as well as the Guardian Angel Teams," said Lt. Col. Michael Hinsch, 79th RQS director of operations. "There are several other scenarios we may try to accomplish here at D-M, but this was the first to prove the concept. It was very successful."

Colonel Hinsch said the airdrops are not a new concept, but the crews usually have to do them in more remote locations because the flightline is usually occupied.

"We often accomplish multilift airdrops on a single sortie, but use a good deal of the sortie in transit times, as well as ground party travel of up to four hours one way," he said. "This allows us to obtain several sorties worth of training in a single sortie -- accomplishing literally several months' worth of training -- as we blended this event into the 306th RQS drill weekend."

This wasn't just a team effort between the 79th RQS and 943rd RQG; it took many other agencies to make it happen.

"We had great support from the 355th Operational Support Squadron to include functions like weather, airfield ops and the tower," said Colonel Hinsch. "With the success of this event, we hope to complete this type of event on a regular basis."