Parachute drop brings appreciation for freedom

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol
  • 421st Combat Training Squadron Public Affairs
FORT DIX, N.J. (AFPN) --  Master Sgt. Andrew Johnson has experienced something few Airmen have -- parachute in to a drop zone near Normandy, France.

Sergeant Johnson participated in Operation Airdrop Warrior 2006. U.S., British, Canadian, French and German forces trained together to enhance coalition airdrop interoperability.

Servicemembers in the operation also participated in the annual airdrop, memorials and ceremonies that commemorate the anniversary of the D-Day Invasion of Normandy -- June 6, 1944. The events honor the accomplishments of Allied paratroopers during the Normandy invasion. Sergeant Johnson attended the event through an invitation from the commander at Fort Dix, Army Col. David McNeil.

"This was my first time participating in this event," said Sergeant Johnson, assigned to the 421st Combat Training Squadron here. "I have 14 jumps to my credit. I also was fortunate to receive French and British parachutist wings from this experience."

Sergeant Johnson, a 19-year Air Force veteran and a career fuels management craftsman, first got his parachute wings while assigned to an airborne communications unit at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., from 1996 to 2000.

"The unit commander at the time was from the U.S. Army, and he extended the jump billets to all who wanted to be airborne qualified," he said. "I jumped at the opportunity to become qualified."

All of his previous jumps since becoming qualified, however, have never compared with this experience to remember the D-Day paratroopers, Sergeant Johnson said. The experience, he said, reminded him about the importance of bringing freedom and liberation to people.

"If you think about it, the Fourth of July and the sixth of June have a lot in common," Sergeant Johnson said. "Both dates signify independence -- one for the U.S. and the other for France during World War II. They are times to reflect upon the sacrifices of the courageous men and women who preceded us in the armed forces and helped secure the freedom that we enjoy today."

Sergeant Johnson said he learned more about the importance of camaraderie between fellow U.S. and international service members.

"Of 150 paratroopers, I was the only Air Force member jumping," Sergeant Johnson said. "I realize that the Air Force is bigger than each individual. I was not called ‘Master Sergeant Johnson,' I was known as ‘Air Force.' When you are out interacting with the community, people don't see names -- they see the uniform. Each one of us has a big responsibility of being the example in everything we do."

Sergeant Johnson said he also learned to appreciate his neighbors and fellow servicemembers from Fort Dix.

"I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my Army brothers and sisters," Sergeant Johnson said. "They looked out for me throughout the entire 12 days. In return, I exposed them to the phrase ‘airpower' and by the end of the trip, it had replaced ‘hooah' as our official greeting.

"While we poked fun at each other at every opportunity, at the end of the day I knew we were all standing side by side and representing the same team," he said.

In all, Sergeant Johnson said his participation in Operation Airdrop Warrior 2006 was "an overwhelming and humbling experience."

"It was truly an honor to represent the Air Mobility Warfare Center, Air Force and American paratrooper," Sergeant Johnson said. "During the Normandy jump, I was on the first plane, first pass and last paratrooper on the plane so I landed the furthest away from the rally point.

"I had to navigate through some 4,000 spectators to get to the rally point for formation and parachute turn-in," Sergeant Johnson said.

"As I was making my way through the crowd, they were clapping, crying, saying thank you and patting me on the back. I realized it was not me; it was the symbol I was representing. They treated me like I was the one who liberated them some 62 years ago."