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# National Guard units provides needed supplies, saves lives

By Air Force By Master Sgt. Mary Davis455th Air Expeditionary Wing

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - Soldiers in an austere province in  Afghanistan received much needed provisions thanks to the joint efforts of the  Alaska and New York Air National Guard units during their first formation  airdrop. 

Members of the 774th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron dropped  approximately 20,000 pounds of cargo to Soldiers on the ground in the Oruzgan  Province June 22. The aircrews were tasked to perform two back-to-back  missions, which tested their skills and strengthened them as a team.

"We flew a two-ship formation airdrop of C-130s  supporting Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force in southern  Afghanistan," said Air Force Lt. Col. Rich Adams, 774 EAS Commander. 

"We  supported them by carrying food, fuel, ammunition and water to support forward  operating bases in southern Afghanistan,” he said.

Despite having air crews from two separate Air  National Guard units, they had one mission in mind - getting supplies downrange  to combat forces on the ground. 

"We delivered about 10 containers per aircraft  at about 1,000 pounds per container," said Air Force Master Sgt. Timothy  Griffin, a C-130 loadmaster. "I ensured the cargo was balanced, so the  weight was distributed evenly on the aircraft."

Griffin worked with the Army riggers at Bagram  Airfield to prepare cargo pallets for the drop using the Improved Container  Delivery System. 

"The system enables accuracy by adjusting to  wind data, terrain and other vital information affecting the airdrop,"  said Air Force Capt. Tom Bradford, an active-duty C-130 navigator from the 39th  Airlift Squadron at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. "The ICDS collects data  so aircraft speed and altitude can be adjusted."

Bradford provided his airdrop expertise to ANG  aircrews and served as an extra set of eyes on the flight. He also operates as continuity  between ANG units completing 90-day rotations in theater demonstrating the  Total Force concept.

"It's challenging to work with different  aircrews, but one benefit is learning how people do things differently," he  said. "I've been deployed to this area twice, so I advise them about  various aspects of the drop zones."

There is an inherent amount of risk when flying  during the daytime, that is doubled when flying more than one aircraft to the  drop area, said Air Force Lt. Col. Chris Thurn, C-130 pilot and mission  commander.

"These types of missions are typically flown at  night," he said. "The second aircraft had to perform fluid travel  maneuvers from the 3 to 9 o'clock positions to mitigate threats and keep from  becoming predictable."

Exercises and training is a huge aspect of Thurn's  work back at his home station. This helped his team perform flawlessly during  the airdrop.

"As an instructor pilot and evaluator pilot, I  put a lot of emphasis on training to make sure we are prepared," he said.  "It's the long-term effects of what we do on a daily basis that makes a  difference. If I can help those on the ground, I'm proud to do this."

Adams echoed Thurn's sentiments.

"We take pride in doing this, because it keeps  people from having to drive in convoys. Airdropping supplies, keeps people out  of harm's way and keeps war fighters in the fight," he said.

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