Large Package Week puts the ‘air’ in airborne

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Mark William Hanson
  • 43rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. (AFPN) --  A U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules passed overhead and green parachutes dotted the evening sky above nearby Fort Bragg on May 11. Eight seconds later, the first Soldiers from the Army’s 18th Airborne Corps charged across the ground launching a simulated airfield assault.

The Large Package Week exercises showed the vital role bluesuiters play in joint operations to help Soldiers bring the fight to the enemy, officials said.

Aircraft involved in the week’s exercises were four C-130 Hercules from here, and six from Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., as well as two C-17 Globemaster IIIs from Charleston AFB, S.C., and McChord AFB, Wash. Together they dropped equipment and about 800 paratroopers, said Master Sgt. Brian Harriman, the exercise’s production supervisor from the 743rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron here.

Airmen and Soldiers train together during the exercises which are designed to help prepare the 82nd Airborne Division’s incoming Ready Division. Sergeant Harriman said the Ready Division Soldiers are typically on alert for six weeks and must be capable of deploying anywhere to conduct combat operations within 18 hours.

The majority of training occurs at night because that is when Soldiers typically go into battle, said Maj. Chul Lee, command post chief.

“Night operations lessen the threat (of) exposure and also increase the element of surprise against enemy targets,” he said.

Airmen are vital to the 82nd’s capabilities to perform its mission, Sergeant Harriman said.

“The Air Force role is critical when a crisis breaks because (the airlifters get) the 82nd Airborne’s Ready Division where it needs to go,” he said.

Along with actual airlift missions, Airmen must also manage and maintain all participating aircraft. Roughly 90 maintainers from the 743rd AMXS take part in the training, and they prepare the “packages,” which include equipment like military vehicles.

Sergeant Harriman said he recognizes and emphasizes the importance of joint operations for accomplishing America’s national objectives.

“The key to success is two services operating as one unit to get the job done,” he said.