908th sharpen TAC skills

Col. Roy Peterson, commander of the 908th Mission Support Group, right, watches through binoculars as C-130 Hercules make their way to the drop zone during the recent 908th Airlift Wing TAC weekend. From left, 357th AS Loadmaster Tech. Sgt. Josh Burton, Lt. Col. Craig Drescher, 357th Airlift Squadron commander, and 908th AW Commander Col. Brett Clark discuss the training.

908th sharpens airdrop skills

Published July 21, 2011
By Lt. Col. Jerry Lobb
908th Airlift Wing

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- Parachutes bloomed over the 908th Airlift Wing drop zone near Autaguaville during its recent tactical airdrop weekend.

Reservists practiced their wartime aerial delivery mission, dropping 3,700-pound training loads and 1,500-pound Containerized Delivery System bundles from altitudes ranging from 600 to 1200 feet. The accuracy of the drops is judged by how close the loads land to an orange triangle near the center of the drop zone. The majority of the bundles and platforms fell within 100 yards of the target.

According to Lt. Col. Ken Ostrat, 357th Operations Officer, the TAC weekend was a great success. He expressed appreciation for the support of the 908th Maintenance Group and the 25th Aerial Port Squadron for assisting aircrews to accomplish many much-needed training events, including actual heavy equipment airdrops.

"It was a huge contributor to finishing out our semi-annual training requirements," he said.

Col Brett Clark, commander of the 908th was on hand for the event. He said "The tactical formation and airdrop training conducted during this Super Tac weekend is absolutely vital to our wing remaining mission ready for world-wide duty. After observing and evaluating key training events such as time over target control, airdrop accuracy, and drop-zone support and recovery, I can say without hesitation that our Airmen remain on the leading edge of our nation's combat airlift force."