MAXWELL AFB, Ala. -- -- Airdropping equipment, supplies, and troops is a vital part of the 908th Airlift Wing's mission. On cold Saturday morning of the February 2007unit training assembly, members of the 357th Airlift Squadron and the 25th Aerial Port Squadron waited out hazy skies and blustery winds in hopes that their scheduled aircrew proficiency training mission would go on as scheduled.
Flying in a three aircraft formation over the fields just outside of Autaugaville, the 357th AS began dropping their loads which, according to aerial port superintendent Chief Master Sgt. Lyn Whited, typically consist of "one 'heavy,' one CDS (container delivery system) and two SATBs (simulated air training bundles)."
As the three C-130s flew over the drop zone, the sky filled with huge parachutes. After the C-130s disappeared over the horizon, the 25th APS began the task of recovering the loads. The aerial porters untangled, rolled-up, and packed the chutes. They loaded equipment and vehicles onto flatbed trailers and transported it all back to Maxwell AFB where they will be re-rigged and readied for another drop.