Airborne training operations begin in Iraq
with goal of U.S. – Iraqi jump

by Spc. Michael J. MacLeod and Spc. Kayleigh J. Cannon
1st BCT, 82nd Abn. Div. PAO

photos by Spc. Michael J. MacLeod/1st BCT, 82nd Abn. Div. PAO Paratroopers with 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division (Advise and Assist Brigade), exit a C-130 aircraft Friday, at Al Asad Airbase, Iraq, as part of the largest airborne training exercise conducted by U.S. forces in Iraq since the beginning of the war. A jumper’s parachute is opened by the yellow universal static line seen here along the fuselage of the aircraft.

AL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq — U.S. Army paratroopers took a first step toward a combined U.S. – Iraqi airborne training exercise when 183 paratroopers jumped onto Iraqi soil Friday as part of their sustained airborne training.

Paratroopers with 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division (Advise and Assist), began “currency jumps” to refresh their airborne skills following weeks of ground-based refresher courses in a bid to partner with Iraqi security forces during combined airborne training exercises.

“This is a really important day for the paratroopers of the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment,” said Col. Mark R. Stammer, commander of 1st BCT, 82nd Abn. Div., referring to the legacy regiment of his brigade. “More importantly, it’s an important first step in a training evolution for the Iraqi armed forces.

“We’re training today to refresh ourselves on airborne safety procedures so that after the elections, we can train with our Iraqi army partners and conduct a combined airborne training operation with them here,” he said.

Stammer said the combined training will allow U.S. and Iraqi forces to share not only the camaraderie of being paratroopers, but also the capability of a modern military force; another stone in the foundation of an enduring strategic partnership.

Stammer led the operation from the front as the first one out the door of the C-130 aircraft, but not without a little humor.

“I still like it; that’s why I go first,” he said.

Conditions were nearly ideal for the training exercise, with mild winds and temperatures and high visibility, according to Sgt. 1st Class Bryan Caldwell, noncommissioned officer in charge of airborne operations for 3rd Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, and drop zone safety officer.

Caldwell, who has conducted partnered airborne operations with other countries, said he has few concerns for the upcoming combined jumps with the Iraqis.

“A paratrooper’s a paratrooper,” said Caldwell.

“Once they get in the bird and they get parachutes on, it doesn’t matter where you are from or where you’ve been, it’s what you are doing at the moment,” he said. “The Iraqis are trained paratroopers. I think we’ll come together in the bird when it’s time and see something amazing.”
Command Sgt. Maj. William Johnson, the top noncommissioned officer for U.S. Division – Center, said that the ground was harder than the paratroopers were expecting, but their airborne training instincts kicked in to ensure safe landings.

“We’re going to train the Iraqis up just like we trained the 82nd paratroopers to get back into currency,” said Johnson. “Then, we’ll do a combined jump. It’s going to make their army even better.”

The training exercise continued smoothly with no major incidents, according to Sgt. 1st Class William Johnson, noncommissioned officer in charge of airborne operations for 1st BCT, 82nd Abn. Div. and the person responsible for planning all the events.

After the second jump, the paratroopers were an hour ahead of schedule and by the end of the exercise, 183 jumpers had parachuted onto a drop zone, with only one mild injury, a slight concussion.

“Seeing the first 20 guys load up, it was like seeing the tip of the iceberg to all the hard work we’ve done to make this happen,” said Johnson.

The exercises are the first large-scale training jumps in Iraq since the beginning of the war, according to Command Sgt. Maj. Frank Grippe, the top noncommissioned officer of I Corps and the second paratrooper to jump from the first aircraft.

“As a unit, we’re able to not only train ourselves but as a goal, do a partnered parachute jump with our Iraqi allies here in the not-too-distant future,” said Grippe.