Low cost, low altitude resupply

Photo By 1st Lt. Charles Morgan | Cargo parachutes out of the resupply plane as it gains altitude after flying at 200 feet to a location outside of Joint Combined Outpost Khilaguy, Baghlan province, Afghanistan, July 7, 2013. (U.S. Army courtesy photo/Released)  

BAGHLAN PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

07.07.2013

Courtesy Story

6th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment

By 1st Lt. Matthew Powell
Blackfoot Troop, 6-4 CAV, 3-1 IBCT

BAGHLAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Soldiers of Blackfoot Troop, 6th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, organized a low cost, low altitude airdrop that enabled a resupply of ammunition to the Joint Combined Outpost in Baghlan Province, July 7.

Soldiers in Blackfoot Troop researched ways to resupply and came across a Low cost, low altitude method of resupply. It consists of a cargo plane dropping supplies from a low altitude by limiting the chance the supplies drift away from the designated area and lowers the chance of exposure of the air craft. The low cost, low altitude airdrop is an approach that combines versatility with a simple execution plan that includes disposable parachutes, thus saving time and money.

2nd Platoon, Blackfoot Troop secured the drop zone and 1st Lt. James Gibbs, Blackfoot Troop’s Executive Officer, coordinated plans with the plane. The plane then flew 200 feet above the valley where Blackfoot Troop was located and prepared to drop off the resupply. Once the plane reached the coordinated drop zone it lifted its nose into the air to increase elevation and unload the cargo, which parachuted onto the drop zone and into Blackfoot Troop’s hands.

“It was very effective and accurate,” 2nd Platoon Leader, 1st Lt. Bradley Christmas said. “The plane flew low enough that you could hear it for a minute and was visually exposed for no more than 20 seconds.”

Second Platoon quickly got to work once the packages touched down by dividing into two sections; one for security and the other to secure the cargo. Once the parachutes were disposed of and the supplies were loaded up, 2nd Platoon returned to JCOP Khilaguy.

“Blackfoot Troop wanted to test the capabilities and resources of the low cost, low altitude aerial resupply,” LT Gibbs said. “It was also a great opportunity of for unique training.”

As a result of the low cost, low altitude resupply, Blackfoot Troop gained knowledge and experience that improves the versatility of the unit as they conduct operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

• Date Taken: 07.07.2013
• Date Posted: 07.15.2013 09:11
• Story ID: 110198
• Location: BAGHLAN PROVINCE, AF
• Hometown: ELIZABETHTOWN, KY, US
• Hometown: FORT KNOX, KY, US
• Hometown: LOUISVILLE, KY, US
• Hometown: RADCLIFF, KY, US