C-130 First US Aircraft to Airdrop Japanese Soldiers on US Soil

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C-130s and airmen with the 36th Airlift Squadron assisted in a first on Aug. 12, helping Japanese soldiers airdrop onto US soil. Soldiers with the 3rd Battalion, 1st Airborne Brigade of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force joined US Army soldiers with the 1st Battalion (Airborne), 501st Infantry Regiment to jump as part of a simulated airfield seizure exercise for exercise Red Flag-Alaska at JB Elmendorf-Richardson. The training scenario focused on C-130s, protected by “blue air” fighter aircraft, attempting to seize an airfield while aggressor aircraft attempted to “shoot down” the aircraft, Red Flag officials said in a release. Several countries involved in the exercise, including the US, South Korea, Japan, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Thailand, participated in the scenario. Red Flag-Alaska, Pacific Air Forces premiere training mission, runs through Aug. 21 at Elemendorf-Richardson and Eielson Air Force Base.

Audio of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Find out more at afa.org