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Airmen, Marines team up for air jumps

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Daniel Phelps
  • 94th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

Joint forces came together Oct. 15 and 16 as Airmen and Marines took the Georgia skies for low-level static line parachute training.

This was a unique opportunity for the members of the 94th Airlift Wing and 4th Recon Battalion that provided an invaluable training scenario.

“Joint training is always a limiting factor identified during contingencies,” said Lt. Col. Terence Green, 94th Operations Support Squadron deputy chief of tactics. “Both our aircrews and the Marine jumpers get actual personnel airdrop training, and as an added bonus we can complete it on our own airfield, decreasing TDY cost for both units.”

Operating the drop zone for the local Marine unit assigned to Dobbins enabled the two services to work together and determine differences in standard operating procedures and provide feedback to leadership for more efficient interoperability, Green said.

“Usually when we run an operation we are the only attending unit,” said Marine Master Sgt. Jerry Jordan, 4th RB Bravo Company training chief. “It was good for us to work with Dobbins personnel so that we could be introduced to their ways of running operations and learn from their experience. This interaction will help both units run smoother operations together going forward.”

Normally, the 4th RB works with other Marine Air Wings when performing this kind of training. However, they are always excited to work with other branches, Jordan continued.

“Working with other branches improves both units by learning ways that other units or branches run operations,” Jordan said.

Joint training with sister services allow us the opportunity to identify differences in training and operations prior to operating together in combat, Green said.

Reigniting the working relationship between the units is a training advantage because of their proximity.

“The advantage of Bravo Company working with the 94th AW is the fact that we are conducting joint training, learning other processes for parachute operations and gaining the ability to train locally,” said Marine Maj. Todd Moulder, 4th RB Bravo Company. “Normally, we drive 2.5 to 3 hours to Alabama. Our connection with the 94th AW will provide joint experience and diverse logistical planning, and allow us to execute operations in a much shorter time.”

This exercise marked the first time in four years that these units had worked together for parachute jumps.

“Now that we have established a working relationship, we expect to complete future training missions on a regular schedule,” Green said.

“This will allow both units to expand their training abilities and continue to train like we fight,” Moulder added.