Joint airborne operations challenged by thunderstorms

By Sgt. Michael J. MacLeod
1st BCT, 82nd Abn. Div. PAO

July 14, 2011

	Photo by Senior Airman Asha Harris/U.S. Air Force Paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division prepare to board a C-17 Globemaster III before a personnel airdrop mission in support of the Joint Operations Access Exercise, June 26.

The occurrence of 23-knot winds, torrential rain and dangerous lightning has caused flight delays for more than 500 paratroopers during the Joint Operations Access exercise. The remaining paratroopers must now continue the mission without them.

“The limitations are there for a reason,” explained Maj. Phillip Sounia, executive officer for the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division. “When the winds approach 13 knots, you have a very high chance of getting injured, or when winds approach 17 knots, there’s a very high chance that the heavy-drop platforms will get messed up and not be combat serviceable,” Sounia said.

While the rain, high winds and lightning create difficulties for the troops, the enemy is going to be in a massive thunderstorm too, he pointed out.

“I think I can beat anybody in a massive thunderstorm because it’s crappy out and nobody wants to be in it. It gives us an advantage. I can be louder, I can move faster, I can go after the enemy. In all reality, it’s only going to enable me. The Air Force is going to be on high alert, and they are going to be engaging like mad. Keep in mind we have the only all-weather-capable aircraft in the world.”

For the JOAX, aircraft and crews came from many bases, including Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, McGuire Air Force Base, N.J., Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., Altus Air Force Base, Okla., Charleston Air Force Base, S.C. Pope Field and others, according to Air Force Capt. Joseph Barber with the 43rd Airlift Wing, who helped coordinate the aircraft.

Crews must get air crew/air drop qualifications once per quarter, said Barber, which fits neatly in with the demands of the JOAX.

In spite of the cultural differences between the services that developed since the U.S. Army Air Corps split from the Army to become the Air Force in 1947, effective communication and mutual respect between professional Airmen and professional Soldiers allowed for a relatively smooth operation in spite of the weather challenges.

“Thanks for what you do,” said Col. Mark L. Stock, Devil Brigade commander, addressing a room of senior Airmen and paratroopers prior to the big jump.

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