Excercise tests Reserve C-130 unit's re-supply capabilities

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Ian Carrier
  • 911th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
PITTSBURGH AIR RESERVE STATION, Pa. (AFPN) --  Airmen in the Air Force Reserve Command's 911th Airlift Wing here conducted Exercise Bold Effort July 14 to hone their transport and re-supply skills vital during a time of war.

The exercise began when eight C-130s departed the airfield here and headed for Rickenbacker International Airport in Columbus, Ohio. The purpose of the flight to Ohio was to simulate a ground re-supply mission. 

For the second half of the exercise, the C-130s broke into four formations of two and tactically flew back to Pennsylvania. The objective for this leg was to execute an air drop at a designated drop zone located near Burgettstown, Pa.  As the planes flew near the target area, they regrouped into an eight-ship formation.

Meanwhile, at the drop zone the ground crew was making their preparations. The area was marked and Airmen from 32nd Aerial Port Squadron called in and verified coordinates and wind speed.

Once the aircraft reached the proper coordinates, loadmasters aboard the C-130s pushed their pallets out of the back of the planes. Parachutes attached to static lines opened and the cargo drifted to the ground. The planes toward the rear of the formation were able to watch the results and make their own adjustments.

After all of the pallets came to rest, the ground crew started to work recovering the cargo. Parachutes were removed and folded. Pallets were loaded onto the backs of trucks and taken away.

Senior Airman Ian Lowe, the 911th AW Safety information manager, was on the ground during the exercise. 

"It was very good to see the whole mission come together after all the hours and manpower put into the preparation," he said.  "It was good practice and everything was completed without any incidents." 

It took a combined effort to accomplish this exercise according to Lt. Col. Kenneth Honaker, 911th Maintenance Group commander. He noted that when someone commended a member of the maintenance squadron, the Airman said it was all in a days work.

"It may be all in a day's work," Colonel Honaker said, "but it was an extremely phenomenal group accomplishment. ... Not only was this a team effort of all the maintainers, but also teamwork between the operations group and the entire base."

Col. Gordon H. Elwell, who assumed command of the 911th Airlift Wing on June 3, was on his first unit training exercise as a passenger.

"I was extremely impressed with the professionalism of the aircrews and the can-do attitude of the aerial port and maintenance squadrons in getting the loads ready and recovering them after the drops," said Colonel Elwell. "It demonstrated the unity of the wing, the focus on the mission and the ability to face whatever challenges that may come in the future." 

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Eight C-130 Hercules aircraft approach Starvaggi Drop Zone near Burgettstown, Pa., during Exercise Bold Effort July 14. The purpose of this training exercise was maintain unit proficiency in re-supplying ground forces during combat operations. C-130s normally operate in two-ship formations, so eight planes together is a rare sight. (U.S. Air Force photo/Conrad Witalis)

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Eight C-130 Hercules aircraft return to Pittsburgh Air Reserve Station, Pa., after perfoming Exercise Bold Effort July 14. The purpose of this training exercise was maintain unit proficiency in re-supplying ground forces during combat operations. C-130s normally operate in two-ship formations, so eight planes together is a rare sight. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jamie Perry)