Soldiers prepare equipment at Kadena Air Base March 17 for static-line jumps over Tsuken Jima drop zone near White Beach Naval Facility. In static-line parachuting, a static line, or fixed cord, is attached to the aircraft while the other end is attached to the pilot chute inside the jumper’s backpack, which causes the jumper’s parachute to open automatically upon exiting the aircraft. The soldiers are with 1st Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne). The pilots and aircraft are assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force.