Charleston reserve crew supports airdrop
By Airman 1st Class Nicholas Pilch
| 437th Airlift Wing Public Affairs | July 20, 2007
CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --
A Charleston reserve aircrew demonstrated joint force interoperability in a joint service training air drop, July 12.
The exercise included an active-duty Airman, seven Marines and two Australian Army Soldiers over North Auxiliary Airfield.
Training for the exercise began July 9 and included multiple static line jumps, heavy platform drops and container delivery system drops -- all culminating with the final air drop, July 12.
The 437th Aerial Port Squadron, the 14th Airlift Squadron and the 317th Airlift Squadron hosted the drops throughout the week.
Aboard a Charleston C-17, Marine Cpl. Austin Mitchell-Briggs, a parachute rigger in the 2nd Air Deliver Unit out of Camp Lejeune, N.C., completed his last jump before he leaves the Marine Corps.
Australian Army Capt. Stuart Ware, chief officer for aerial delivery systems unit and Warrant Officer Class Two Adrian South, project officer for aerial delivery systems air movements, training and developments unit, participated in the training to make it an international training event.
Participants learned all aspects and positions on the air drop team to take back and teach at their home units.
"The training was perfect," said Marine 1st Lt. David McGrath, OIC of the 2nd Air Delivery Unit. "We were out and we had a perfect jump, perfect landing and a couple of Marines did it with combat gear on. It was a beautiful day at Charleston AFB."