U.S., Thai servicemembers conduct personnel airdrop training

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Cohen A. Young
  • Defense Media Activity-Hawaii
DOM MUANG ROYAL THAI AIR FORCE BASE, Thailand (AFNS) --  U.S. Airmen and Royal Thai Air Force members conducted personnel airdrop training from a C-17 Globemaster III as part of Cope Tiger 2010 here on March 3.

More than 60 qualified jumpmasters completed three separate jumps near Bangkok, Thailand, as the first major activity of the Cope Tiger field training exercise.

Cope Tiger is an annual, multilateral, aerial force exercise conducted in Thailand that includes humanitarian and civic assistance programs. This year's exercise takes place March 1 through 12, primarily at Udon Thani and Korat Royal Thai Air Force bases.

Thai servicemembers jumped out of a C-17 using a static line. In addition to the static-line jumps, U.S. and Thai airmen performed high altitude-low opening jumps from the back end of the jet.

Master Sgt. John Gaona from the 18th Weather Squadron at Pope Air Force Base, N.C., said the mission was a huge success, highlighting the strong partnerships being built at Cope Tiger between the U.S., Thai and Singaporean participants.

"It's an honor to be involved in a multilateral event like this and have the opportunity to train with others that share your job," said Sergeant Gaona, a Floresville, Texas, native and qualified jumper.

"I came to help coordinate some of the missions here, and it was a great opportunity to be part of the first-ever Royal Thai Air Force static-line jump from one of our C-17s," said Staff Sgt. Todd Tichawa, a loadmaster from 535th Airlift Squadron at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, Hawaii.

Although the C-17 was from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, the aircrew included pilots and loadmasters from JB Hickam and Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, as well as jumpmasters from Yokota Air Base, Japan; Eielson AFB, Alaska; Joint Base Fort Lewis-McChord, Wash.; and Pope AFB.

Thai media gathered to watch the collaboration and interviewed several members from both nations.

"I'm really looking forward to all of the coordination with the Thai air force and completing more joint missions," said Capt. Kevin Jackson, deployed from the 517th Airlift Squadron at Elmendorf AFB.

The U.S. Air Force has more than 20 aircraft participating in the exercise, a balance of fighter and cargo aircraft.

The two air forces will also conduct humanitarian events during Cope Tiger 2010, to include providing dental and basic medical care, as well as much-needed school supplies, to local citizens.

Cope Tiger 2010 is a multilateral exercise involving the U.S. Air Force, Royal Thai Air Force and Army, and Republic of Singapore Air Force. U.S. participation is led by 13th Air Force at JB Pearl Harbor Hickam, on behalf of Pacific Air Forces.