MAXWELL AFB, ALA. -- Planes and parachutes packed the blue skies over Maxwell AFB and nearby Autaugaville Nov. 3 during an 908th Airlift Wing airdrop training exercise dubbed "Bama Big Drop."
The Alabama Army National Guard also assisted with CH-47 Chinook helicopters. B Company, 1st Battalion, 169th Aviation Regiment "sling-lifted" cargo from the Autaugaville drop zone back to Maxwell. Additionally, the helicopter aircrews provided a simulated slice of combat life to Regular Air Force and Reserve Airmen, taking them on brief tactical troop transport orientation flights near the Maxwell AFB flightline. Priority was given to first responders and emergency personnel, while selected Air University staff, Reserve Airmen performing their weekend training assembly and Airmen assigned to Maxwell were treated to flights on a space available basis.
Four 908th AW C-130 Hercules airlifters practiced tactical formation flying and airdrops first at the 908th's Buzz drop zone near Autaugaville and then at Dixie drop zone here at Maxwell. The Autaugaville airdrops featured heavy equipment platforms configured to simulate the dropping of equipment needed in a war zone such as road graders, Hum Vees, armored personnel carriers, etc. At Maxwell, the aircrews dropped containerized delivery systems, three bundles consisting of water-filled barrels weighing about 1,000 pounds each to approximate the weight of actual cargo. The CDS is the most commonly used method for airdropping supplies quickly for military and contingency operations.
"Bama Big Drop" activities allowed the wing's Reservists to get concentrated training that increases their proficiency and at the same time helps them accomplish their individual training requirements, said Lt. Col. James Dignan, director of operations for the 357th Airlift Squadron, the 908th's flying arm.
Unit aircrews train continually; normally, in two-ship formations. Four-ship formations are a rarity that allows the aircrews "to put mass on target in a simulated combat environment," the director of operations said.
"Multi-ship formation flying results in more realistic training and wartime planning. Although that also means additional mission planning and coordination, it's worth the increased workload," Colonel Dignan said.
Another benefit derived from exercises like "Bama Big Drop" is increased wing cohesion and enhanced esprit de corps stemming from related activities such as concept briefings for all participants; tactics and intelligence training for aircrews; aircraft maintenance; and load preparations and recovery by aerial port personnel.
The Alabama Army Guard participation, a departure from most previous exercises, fulfills their mission training requirements and reflects inter-service cooperation that is in keeping with the joint nature of most military operations.
It's also especially beneficial for the 908th AW's aerial port personnel who relish the chance for sling load training, a skill increasingly in demand while deployed. Using helicopters to transport loads reduces the number of ground convoys; thus, decreasing potential exposure to improvised explosive devices. Here at home, sling lifting cargo during post airdrop recovery operations reduces the unit's transportation costs by reducing wear and tear on the vehicles normally used to haul equipment back from the drop zone.
Participating 908th AW units included the 357th Airlift, 25th Aerial Port, and 908th Maintenance Squadrons and the 908th Operations Support Flight with support from Maxwell's security forces and base operations personnel and the Alabama ARNG's B Company, 1st Battalion, 169th Aviation Regiment.