Troops take a leap to help those in need

  • Published
  • By Lisa Terry McKeown
  • 43rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. (AFPN) --  Families in need here and in the surrounding community of Fayetteville, N.C., will get an extra boost this holiday season thanks to Airmen and Soldiers who participated in this year’s Operation Toy Drop.

More than 1,080 men and women gathered here Dec. 9 to exchange toys for a chance to earn foreign jump wings.

Operation Toy Drop began in 1998 as a real-world example of what the U.S. Civil Affairs Psychological Operations Command and the 43rd Airlift Wing could do. Over the years it has become an incredibly successful joint effort between the local Air Force and Army.

“This is my fourth or fifth year participating in the toy drop,” said Army Staff Sgt. Shane Adams, 313th Military Intelligence Battalion. “It’s fun to earn extra jump wings, but it’s more than that. We need to take care of our own and our community.”

This year, German and Irish jumpmasters joined ranks with their American counterparts.

“We were happy to be invited,” said a soldier with the Irish Defense Forces. “It’s good to mix with American troops, and it’s even better to support such a good cause.”

Twelve Airmen participated in the jump. Most belong to the 18th Air Support Operations Group, but two belong to the 43rd Medical Group. All were able to earn Italian jump wings while helping local families.

The toy drop activities started early Dec. 9 when Airmen and Soldiers brought their unwrapped toys to the passenger sheds. There, they were scheduled on a flight and told whether they would be earning German or Irish jump wings.

The troops took to the sky Dec. 10 after boarding Pope C-130 Hercules. After parachuting onto Fort Bragg, the troops received their foreign jump wings and certificates from either German or Irish forces on the ground. Jumps continued throughout the day. Santa even joined in the festivities by jumping in with the Golden Knights.

In all, about 3,600 toys were collected and distributed to families here and throughout the local community.

“To see Pope, Fort Bragg and the foreign troops come together to help those in need is really incredible,” said Harris Luther, 43rd Operations Group. “It’s a multifunction operation and we have fun doing it. The event really sets the tone for the holidays because we are able to brighten the lives of so many children.”