USAF/ANG since '86. Been a C-130 pilot since '88 stationed at Pope AFB (some call is Fort Bragg Army Airfield) while on Active Duty. Got to do Just Cause (Panama), Desert Shield/Storm, OEF, OIF, Somallia, others yet to be named.
So YOU'RE the bastard that kept dropping me into the trees! Just wait until I find you!
Just for the record, can you please, please explain how, when the pilots are based at Pope, they can't find the Sicily drop zone?
Two things usually result in a drop in the trees.
First, the "Jumpmaster Directed" Drops...finding the right spot over the earth is difficult enough when you train for it every day. If you only do it once a year and you look out the side of the airplane from the paratroop door, well...you get it. We are required to fly where the Jumpmaster says to fly because the "user accepts responsibility for the airdrop results." A smart crew will disregard the directive to comply with the Jumpmaster's directions and fly to where they know you guys will land at the P. I. once you jump. A dumb (or pissed off) crew will comply with the Jumpmaster's directions and let you go where his decisions take you...often in the trees.
Second, the Ground Marked Release System (GMRS). We turn on the Green light once we are abeam the long end of the "inverted L" (it's really on its side with the long end pointing left to right across the nose of the flight path). We are supposed to fly a fixed distance to the right of the end of the "L" and turn on the Green Light. The "User" (Army guys) set up the L and then wonder why we don't drop over the top of it...our procedure, which they are supposedly trained on, requires a drop to the right of the L.
As far as not being able to find Sicily DZ...no clue on that one. When I was stationed at PAFB, we had 48 planes assigned and still most of the JAATT (airdrop) Missions were flown by crews who were there in TDY status from Little Rock, Dyess, or somewhere else. So while it looked like we Pope guys flew most of them, it really wasn't the case. In fact, we used to joke that the only good thing about being stationed at Pope was that you never had to go there TDY. Fayetteville sucked IMHO.
Other wise, the crew just sucks! Personally, I have never had an airdrop -- personnel or equipment -- land off the drop zone.
Anyway, I always enjoy working with the Airborne. My brother -in-law is the XO for the 173rd in Italy and just got back from his 13 mo. tour in Afghanistan. He looks like GI Joe and is tough as nails. Me, I've spent almost 3 years of my life in SWA since we kicked off the Desert Shield thing. Sure hope the politicians end up making it worth it... Cheers and God Bless all VETS.
P.S. My reply is intended in good fun.
