USAF C-17s and C-130s and their crews are teaming up with soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division to practice large-formation airdrops this week as part of Battalion Mass Tactical Week at Fort Bragg, N.C. Three C-17s and three C-130s along with aircrews from the 19th, 62nd, and 437th Airlift Wings as well as the 317th Airlift Group are are participating in the exercise, which wraps up on July 16th, according to an Air Mobility Command spokesman. The airlifters are expected to drop more than 4,700 paratroopers, four dual-row airdrop system platforms, six heavy platforms, 20 container delivery system bundles, and 52 door bundles during 96 passes. Three air mobility liaison officers integrated with the ground units will facilitate the drops.
As Air Force leaders consider concepts of operations for Collaborative Combat Aircraft, sustainment in the field—and easing that support by using standard parts and limiting variants—should be a key consideration, according to a new study from AFA's Mitchell Institute of Aerospace Studies.