Mighty 97th C-17, aircrew support joint coalition training exercise

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Nadine Y. Barclay
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  Airmen from the 8th Air Support Operations Squadron welcomed the U.S. Army 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team and Italian Army paratroopers for a joint coalition operations week hosted at Aviano Air Base, Italy, March 21-25.

This was the first time the 8th ASOS hosted the training. More than 1,400 Italian and American soldiers came from the U.S. Army Garrison in Vicenza, Italy, and the Ranger Unit in Livorno, Italy. A C-17 Globemaster III from Altus Air Force Base, Okla., also came to support the training mission.

The jump week ensured all members were current and proficient on tactics and procedures needed to support real-world contingencies that require combat jump operations. To make the training as realistic as possible, jump operations were conducted with combat equipment packs weighing up to 50 pounds that included all the necessary equipment to sustain mission capabilities for 72 hours.
"This training is to refine the techniques and procedures used in combat jump operations," said Tech. Sgt. Eduardo Ramos, 8th ASOS joint terminal attack controller. "Our goal here is to train with the Army Airborne and Italian Paratroopers using standardized tactics, techniques and procedures to better understand and trust in each other's strengths and capabilities."

The members also received on-the-ground refresher training on the tactics, techniques and procedures needed for combat jump operations to include a practice jump on the ground.

"We really focus on our guys being comfortable under the canopy while falling," said Master Sgt. Shawn Minyon, 8th ASOS superintendent. "Training jumps are conducted at 1,000 feet because it gives you more room to maneuver if any malfunctions occur while you're in the air."

In addition to building confidence in jump skills, the training helped further relations between Air Force, Army and Italian personnel.

"The partnership we've been working over the past few years to strengthen is coming to fruition in the form of realistic joint and coalition training thus unifying the tactical air control party concept capable of supporting any contingency operation worldwide," said Sergeant Ramos.

The week closed with a final ceremony, including the traditional exchanging of jump wings between U.S. and Italian forces. The youngest Air Force member, Airman 1st Class Craig Gabrielson, 8th ASOS TACP was honored by Italian Army Sgt. 1st Class Luca Bertozzo during the ceremony when the paratrooper presented him with a set of wings.

"It was really cool to receive my Italian jump wings," said Airman Gabrielson. "It was definitely an experience I'll remember for the rest of my life."