An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

A Drop in the Ocean

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Miles Wilson
  • 94th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. --  Aircrew Airmen from the 700th Airlift Squadron here provided air drop supplies during a three-day mission over the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea in support of Joint Interagency Task Force operations.

As the constant roar of C-130 Hercules engines filled the cargo area, the large, flat expanse of the ocean sped by below, marked by waves that seemed no more than small ripples from above. The aircrew moved into position as the rear doors opened, revealing the intensity of the sun and a blinding reflection as its rays hit the water. Two pallets loaded with fuel and food sat side by side securely strapped to the cargo floor.

As soon as a loadmaster gave the thumbs up, the Airmen began to release each pallet into the open air, relying on the parachute attached to unfurl and slow the fall to the waters below where rigid inflatable rafts would retrieve them.

The air drops served as a concept of operation tests to resupply joint partners with essential supplies. The operation was done by the 94th Airlift Wing, and was being used as a basis for a change in procedures and was an important training opportunity.

“We were showing our partners that this kind of drop could be done, and we were training them [on how] to do it,” said Capt. Bart Clark, 700th Airlift Squadron aircraft commander.

This type of operation trims down the time it takes for resupplies and enables these joint partners to stay more focused on the mission, Lt. Col. Thomas Moffat, 700th AS director of operations, said.

In order to conduct this concept of operation, joint partners contacted the 94th Airlift Wing and requested support from the 700th AS. The 700th AS took the mission and used it as an opportunity for themselves as well.

“We were very happy to be called to do this concept of operations,” said Moffat. “It wasn’t a regular shelf mission. Our crews are qualified to do this kind of stuff and will go above and beyond to get the mission done.”

The 700th used this unique operation as an opportunity for advanced training.

“We were able to go out there and do what had to be done,” said Clark. “We came up with better ideas and hammered out the procedures. It was a refining process and was some incredible training and experience for us.”