Bagram aircrews drop treats to Soldiers on fourth

  • Published
  • By Maj. David Kurle
  • 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan --  Aircrews from the 774th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron airdropped something special on the Fourth of July for Soldiers at some of the most remote forward operating bases throughout Afghanistan.

The 230th birthday of the United States proved to be another hot, dusty day here, but thanks to the C-130 Hercules crews and Army senior leaders from the Combined Joint Task Force-76, Soldiers on the ground knew they weren't forgotten.

In all, 14 container delivery system bundles weighing 1,500 pounds each were airdropped to seven locations in Afghanistan, said Lt. Col. Blake Gettys, the 774th EAS commander and a pilot on one of the airdrop missions.

"The Soldiers wished us a happy Fourth of July over the radio, and we wished them a happy Fourth of July," he said.

Attached to the bundles were American flags, which unfurled as the CDS loads left the cargo planes, adding a patriotic touch as they fell to the ground underneath parachutes.

Each of the bundles contained goodies requested by the Soldiers, including sodas, cookies, beef jerky, CDs, DVDs, footballs, soccer balls, socks, T-shirts, personal hygiene items and an assortment of other treats.

"As a small token of appreciation for serving on freedom's frontier, I hope you find the items in this bundle drop enjoyable," wrote Army Maj. Gen. Benjamin Freakley, CJTF-76 commander, in a letter on each bundle.

"I am proud of your service and thank you again for the amazing spirit you display every day on this battlefield," the general wrote. "May God bless you and our great nation."

The bundles were built on a base of 20 cases of water to help provide stability and give the bundles enough weight for the parachute to function properly, said Army Spec. Denton Carter, a rigger with the 10th Logistics Task Force rigger team. Carter is assigned to the 623rd Quartermaster Company at Fort Bragg, N.C.

Many senior leaders from CJTF-76 and the Joint Logistics Command assisted in loading and rigging the bundles.

"We think it is important the (soldiers receiving these bundles) know the leadership is thinking about them on the Fourth of July. This is an important day for us and an important day for our country," said Army Col. Larry D. Wyche, commander of the Joint Logistics Command here.

C-130 crews here fly combat missions every day, often airdropping supplies to Soldiers in the field, a mission the C-130s haven't performed in a war zone, on this scale, since the Vietnam War.

"Every time we fly, we do everything in our power to get the drops off," Colonel Gettys said. "Whether it's ammunition, water or Fourth of July goodies.

"There's probably no better way that I could've spent my Fourth of July than by supporting the troops on the ground," he said.

Editor's Note: Contributing to this article was Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael Rautio from the Joint Logistics Command.