It was a blustery day at 10,000 feet as Jackal 71 rumbled to its target. Their platform for the exercise was a MC-130P Combat Shadow piloted by Capt. Chris Horgan and crew from the 17 th Special Operations Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan. Minutes before takeoff, the U.S. Army jumpmasters coordinated with the flight crew concerning current winds and the optimal exit point. Lewis, Wash., filed onto the plane and took their seats.
Summers are brutally hot in central Thailand and the back of the plane was suffocating.
Each of the soldiers, clad in helmet, gloves and long-sleeves, sat quietly as sweat poured off their faces. They watched the flight crew prep for takeoff and checked over their gear one last time. Twenty minutes later, the plane approached the drop zone. Kent Gordon, loadmaster, opened the ramp and the cool rush of wind was a welcome respite. The flight deck radioed back to Gordon the plane was five minutes from the drop zone.