Dropping the flares

MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- An HH-60G Pave Hawk from the 41st Rescue Squadron empties its remaining flares during an in-flight refueling training session here March 16. Refueling allows the aircraft to travel further in combat situations, allowing essential personnel and equipment to be delivered where needed. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Benjamin Wiseman/Released)

Out the troop door

MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Senior Airman Kade Bollinger, 71st Rescue Squadron HC-130P/N Combat King loadmaster, checks the engine pods while looking out the paratroop doors during a flight training session here March 16. The Combat King is used for many things including personnel recovery and air drops, as well as humanitarian and combat missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Benjamin Wiseman/Released)

Prepared to jump

MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Staff Sgt. Guillermo Castellano, 824th Security Force Squadron military working dog handler, mentally prepares before jumping out of an HC-130P/N Combat King from the 71st Rescue Squadron here March 16. Sergeant Castellano jumped with other members of the 820th Security Forces Group as part of routine training, which helps keep them mentally and physically prepared. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Benjamin Wiseman/Released)

Refuel and go

MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- An HH-60G Pave Hawk from the 41st Rescue Squadron prepares to refuel while in-flight as another HH-60G remains in an observation position here March 16. Both were refueled by a HC-130P/N Combat King from the 71st Rescue Squadron during a flight training session. The Combat King is capable of traveling up to 4,000 miles and carrying up to 73,000 pounds of fuel. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Benjamin Wiseman/Released)

Aircraft, jumpers practice essential skills in training flight

Published March 19, 2010
By Airman 1st Class Brigitte Brantley
23rd Wing Public Affairs

MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- The 23rd Wing and the 822nd Security Forces Squadron recently teamed up to ensure essential skills remain mission ready.

Twelve 822nd SFS paratroopers performed jump training, while an HC-130P/N Combat King and HH-60G Pave Hawk practiced refueling procedures.

"The C-130 is a great platform for the paratrooper to jump from," said Lt. Col. Joel Martin, 347th Operation Support Squadron commander and C-130 pilot. "One of the roles of this aircraft is to be able to drop our Airmen into combat missions. We have the ability to take them from base camp to wherever they need to go. With the C-130's capabilities, we are able to go further in a combat location and therefore better accomplish the mission."

Training for the 71st RQS is currently focused around completing rescue-type drops, which also allows the jumpers to better prepare for real-world missions.

"All training jumps help the paratroopers maintain tactical proficiency for conducting our 'first-in' mission," said Maj. Joseph D'Amico, 822nd SFS commander. "It also helps keep them mentally sharp, which is paramount because there are many details involved in the jumping process."

In addition to being used to deploy paratroopers, the C-130 can be used for other aspects essential to completing the mission.

"The C-130 is a multi-mission aircraft that has many capabilities, including air drops and personnel recovery," said Colonel Martin. "Refueling is one of its tremendous capabilities that allow us to continue practicing these operations.

"Practicing our refueling capabilities gives us the opportunity to be able to do this correctly in contingency operations such as while deployed or while providing humanitarian relief such as after Hurricane Katrina," he said. "Although practicing helps, it's still realistic to realize that refueling can be dangerous."

Although Colonel Martin has flown more than 4,300 hours, including time in combat conditions as well as in nighttime training missions, he acknowledges refueling can still be tough but ongoing training is paramount to keeping Moody defenders mission ready.