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Airmen, Soldiers, NATO members and Santa Claus parachute onto a landing zone during an International Jump Week Toy Drop event Dec. 7 at Alzey Drop Zone, Germany. International Jump Week is an event that gives NATO members the opportunity to work together and build camaraderie and partnerships.
ALZEY DROP ZONE, Germany — U.S. Army joined aircrew with U.S. Air Force pilots from the 37th Airlift Squadron to conduct the 5th Quartermaster Company’s ninth annual Toy Drop Dec. 7 at Alzey Drop Zone, Germany.
U.S., British, German, French, Dutch, Estonian, Polish, Irish and Latvian paratroopers delivered more than 2,000 Christmas presents for Kaiserslautern area children, which marked the opening of International Jump Week.
“This event gave to the less fortunate and brings our allies together to build a strong Europe,” said Capt. James O. Arthur, commander of the 5th Quartermaster Theater Aerial Delivery Company, 39th Transportation Battalion, 16th Sustainment Brigade, part of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command. “It helps us maintain our readiness, and we’re proud to host it.”
To participate, paratroopers had to donate a toy. The 5th QM donated the leftover toys to Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers. The 5th QM conducted a series of jumps throughout the week, and the activities culminated with the sixth annual “Airborne Ball” Dec. 10.
“International Jump Week is a great opportunity for the Soldiers, and it brings together nations for a good cause,” said Lt. Col. Steven M. Dowgielewicz Jr., 39th Trans. commander. “The Toy Drop brings in the family element, and that’s important.”
The Obregon family has been stationed in Germany for three years; however, this was their first time attending the Toy Drop where they received toys from Santa Claus and cheered on the father and husband, Tech. Sgt. Jose Obregon, 435th Contingency Response Group independent duty medical technician.
“It makes me happy that they can see their dad doing his job,” said Francisca Obregon, wife of Jose. “It’s so sweet seeing how proud they are of him. I didn’t even tell my youngest that Santa would also be jumping, so he was really excited for that as well.”
After his drop, Santa Claus talked with the children and handed out presents. Staff Sgt. Ian Dimmick, acting Santa Claus and 5th QM air operations NCO in charge, said he enjoyed having the opportunity to play Santa in this year’s event.
“I have three kids of my own, so it was a lot of fun,” Dimmick said.
Dimmick also noted how this event allows for the opportunity to build allied partnerships and work together as a team to keep the world safe.
“This exercise gives us more motivation,” said Capt. Mihkel Haug, first instructor with the Estonia national guard’s Jarva District. “We’re gaining knowledge and helping our NATO alliance.”
Since its inception, the Toy Drop has delivered more than 20,000 toys to children throughout the U.S. Army Europe footprint.
A NATO member guides his parachute to landing Dec. 7 at Alzey Drop Zone, Germany. NATO members built partnerships and camaraderie by working together in this year’s Toy Drop operation. Toy Drop is an event where paratroopers donate toys to children in the community.
Army 5th Quartermaster Detachment Soldiers load a pallet of toys onto a forklift for an International Jump Week Toy Drop event Dec. 7 on Ramstein. The pallet was loaded onto an 86th Airlift Wing C-130J Super Hercules and dropped at Alzey Drop Zone, Germany.
Julian Obregon, son of Tech. Sgt. Jose Obregon, 435th Contingency Response Group independent duty medical technician, shows off his toy from Santa Claus during the International Jump Week Toy Drop Dec. 7 at Alzey Drop Zone, Germany.
Estonian paratroopers carry their parachutes after landing during this year’s Toy Drop operation Dec. 7 at Alzey Drop Zone, Germany. NATO partners come together during International Jump Week to build partnerships, camaraderie and morale through the Toy Drop operation.
Santa Claus hands a child a toy during Toy Drop, which kicked off International Jump Week,
Dec. 7 at Alzey Drop Zone, Germany. Families watched as paratroopers and Santa jumped from an 86th Airlift Wing C-130J Super Hercules with gifts to bring in the holiday season.
