Close to home: Airborne troops jump onto Ramstein airfield

Paratroopers jump from a C-130J Super Hercules at Ramstein Air Base, Feb. 18. U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 37th AS, 86th Operations Support Squadron, 435th Contingency Response Group and U.S. Army Soldiers from the 5th Quartermaster Company worked together to make the personnel airdrop possible.

 

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Lance Munsee, 435th Security Forces Squadron assistant jumpmaster, gives a thumbs up that airborne troops are good to jump at Ramstein Air Base, Feb. 18. The 37th Airlift Squadron provided airlift for the jumpers in support of their training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kirby Turbak)

 

U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 435th Contingency Response Squadron and 435th Security Forces Squadron set up a drop zone marker at Ramstein Air Base, Feb. 18. Drop zone markers give paratroopers an indication of where it is safe to land.

 

U.S. Army Soldiers and U.S. Air Force Airmen wait to take off in a C-130J Super Hercules at Ramstein Air Base, Feb. 18. Airmen from the 37th Airlift Squadron, 86th Operations Support Squadron, 435th Contingency Response Group and Soldiers from the 5th Quartermaster Company worked together to make the personnel airdrop possible. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kirby Turbak)

 

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Colt Crowe, 435th Security Forces Squadron non-commissioned officer of plans and operations, uses his watch to measure wind speeds at Ramstein Air Base, Feb. 19. Drop zone support personnel measure wind speeds and communicate with pilots on whether it is safe to perform cargo or personnel drops.

 

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Dwight Stalter, 435th Security Forces Squadron unit trainer, packs up his parachute at Ramstein Air Base, Feb. 18. A successful personnel drop means paratroopers are able to stay current in their training, enabling them to deploy anywhere in the world.