Airdrops over Megara during Operation Stolen Cerberus VII

Stolen Cerberus VII, a two-week bilateral training deployment between the U.S. and Hellenic armed forces, ended Sept. 20. More than 100 U.S. personnel supported the event, including Ramstein Airmen from the 37th AS, 86th Maintenance Squadron, the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing and the 4th Air Support Operations Group, as well as Airmen from the 57th Rescue Squadron from Aviano Air Base, Italy. The exercise was designed to enhance readiness and demonstrate a shared commitment to a peaceful, stable and secure Europe.

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Brice Breshears, 86th Maintenance Squadron maintainer, watches a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft assigned to Hellenic forces during Operation Stolen Cerberus VII at Megara Bay, Greece, Sept. 14, 2020. The exercise is designed to enhance readiness and demonstrate a shared commitment to a peaceful, stable and secure Europe. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Taylor D. Slater)
U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Marc Gonsalves, far right, and Senior Airman Robert Hutton, 37th Airlift Squadron loadmasters, secure a high velocity container delivery system to a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft assigned to the 86th Airlift Wing during Operation Stolen Cerberus VII at Megara Bay, Greece, Sept. 14, 2020. These systems are designed to drop quickly to the ground, unlike low cost low altitude airdrops. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Taylor D. Slater)
A chain is linked to a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft during Operation Stolen Cerberus VII at Elefsis Air Base, Greece, Sept. 14, 2020. These chains keep personnel and materials secured to the aircraft to prevent ejection when the ramp of an airborne C-130J is open. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Taylor D. Slater)
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Robert Hutton, 37th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, secures a harness on Senior Airman Brice Breshears, 86th Maintenance Squadron maintaner, during Operation Stolen Cerberus VII at Elefsis Air Base, Greece, Sept. 14, 2020. Harnesses secure personnel to the aircraft and protect them from ejection when the ramp of an airborne C-130J Super Hercules aircraft is open. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Taylor D. Slater)
Hellenic forces recover a low cost low altitude airdrop at the Megara drop zones during Operation Stolen Cerberus VII near Elefsis Air Base, Greece, Sept. 10.
A high velocity container delivery system is deployed during Operation Stolen Cerberus VII at Megara Bay, Greece, Sept. 14, 2020. High velocity airdrops can be used to deploy more durable items that will not be damaged by ground impacts. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Taylor D. Slater)
A C-130J Super Hercules aircraft performs a low cost low altitude airdrop at the Megara drop zones during Operation Stolen Cerberus VII near Elefsis Air Base, Greece, Sept. 10, 2020. LCLA airdrops are able to quickly deliver supplies to service members in austere environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Taylor D. Slater)
An anemometer measures wind speeds at the Megara drop zones during Operation Stolen Cerberus VII near Elefsis Air Base, Greece, Sept. 10, 2020. Drop zone support personnel watch the device for wind speeds and direction and communicate with pilots on whether it is safe to perform air or personnel drops. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Taylor D. Slater)
U.S. Air Force Capt. Joseph Atwood, 4th Air Support Operations Group air mobility liaison officer, relays information via radio at the Megara drop zones during Operation Stolen Cerberus VII near Elefsis Air Base, Greece, Sept. 10, 2020. The 37th Airlift Squadron tested flight capabilities by flying three C-130J Super Hercules aircraft overhead. Radios allow service members on the ground to communicate current conditions with pilots even from several miles away. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Taylor D. Slater)
U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Kyle Brooks, 435th Contingency Response Squadron team chief, displays his patch at the Megara drop zones during Operation Stolen Cerberus VII near Elefsis Air Base, Greece, Sept. 10, 2020. About 20 Airmen from the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing provided support to Operation Stolen Cerberus VII, including loadmasters, pilots, Survival Evasion Resistance Escape specialists and aerial porters. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Taylor D. Slater)
U.S. Air Force Capt. Nicholas Gibson, 37th Airlift Squadron, left, speaks with Capt. Ally Swift, 37th AS pilot, during Operation Stolen Cerberus VII at Elefsis Air Base, Greece, Sept. 14, 2020. Airmen and C-130s assigned to the 86th Airlift Wing participated in a bilateral training event with Hellenic armed forces from Sept. 8-20. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Taylor D. Slater)
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Robert Hutton, 37th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, poses for a photo during Operation Stolen Cerberus VII at Megara Bay, Greece, Sept. 14, 2020. Loadmasters communicate with pilots to deploy airdrops and make sure they are released safely. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Taylor D. Slater)
Members of the 37th Airlift Squadron and 86th Maintenance Squadron watch a Hellenic C-130 Super Hercules aircraft fly during Operation Stolen Cerberus VII at Megara Bay, Greece, Sept. 14, 2020. Operation Stolen Cerberus is an exercise designed to enhance interoperability and airlift capabilities among allied forces through realistic, joint air operation scenarios. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Taylor D. Slater)