Posted on Aug 26, 2016

Air Force, Army planners find ways to see greater jump in airdrops

TSgt Joe C.

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POPE ARMY AIRFIELD, N.C. (AFNS) -- An arriving C-130 Hercules taxies to a large hangar where about 60 Army paratroopers wait to board. Lugging about 100 pounds of gear, the Soldiers quickly line up and load into the aircraft as its four idling engines blow hot gusts over the tarmac.

Minutes later, the plane is flying at 150 mph and the paratroopers jump, being whisked away in a rush of fresh air during the routine training mission -- one of hundreds held each year at Pope Army Airfield. The C-130, a requested aircraft from Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, then heads back to the hangar for another run.

While short lived, these airdrops are meticulously prepared months ahead by dozens of Air Force and Army planners. Their goal: to get Airmen and Soldiers primed to rapidly respond to urgent combat or humanitarian efforts.

Air Force, Army planners find ways to see greater jump in airdrops

Posted from af.mil

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Airmen

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Pope Field

Posted >1 y ago

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MSgt Aaron Brite

Posted >1 y ago

Huh, I recall when I was a Pope in 96 to 97 drop numbers closer to 100,00 drop per year with telwo dedicated squadrons of 130's, c-141's from off station and the ocassional C-5. Now they conduct about half as many with planes flying in from Arkansas, all organized by this new system. I must say I am glad to hear the two services have a process inplace but still wonder as the additional cost and effort required now versus having dedicated squadrons at Pope.

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