Photo By Pfc. Kwamel Hargett | 2nd Lt. Tendry Aryo B. of Indonesian Airborne Brigade go through jumpmaster training...... read more read more
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Spc. Elizabeth Barlow, 318th Press Camp Headquarters
FORT BRAGG, N.C. – For an event that is celebrating its 17th year, not many firsts are left to happen. However, this year Operation Toy Drop has a new set of wings, Indonesian wings.
For the first time ever, four Indonesian jumpmasters will be here participating alongside six other countries and U.S. jumpmasters.
Operation Toy Drop is an annual event that collects toys for local children and social service agencies during the holiday season. The 17th Annual Randy Oler Memorial Operation Toy Drop, hosted by U.S. Army Civil Affairs & Psychological Operations Command (Airborne) is the world’s largest combined airborne operation.
In years past, a mix of nations have come to participate in this airborne tradition, Indonesia now joins the list along with these countries : Brazil, Botswana, Cambodia, Chile, England, Estonia, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, Thailand, Ukraine, and Uruguay.
“This is very exciting for my comrades and me,” said 1st Lt. Ajie Purbaya, the support company commander of the 502nd Airborne Battalion in Malang, Indonesia. “With this experience, we can bring our knowledge back to our country.”
As operations in the military continue to expand, so do the relationships between the United States and our partner nations.
According to a 2013 BBC World Service Poll, 38 percent of Indonesians view U.S. influence positively, with 44 percent expressing a negative view. With Indonesia participating in this operation along with the U.S., relations between the two countries can be affected in a positive way.
“An operation like this can do nothing more than strengthen our relations,” said Purbaya as he interlocked his fingers.
To be chosen for this mission was not an easy task and isn’t taken lightly.
“There are strict regulations for us to go to foreign countries,” said 2nd Lt. Tendry Aryo of the 502nd. “Our headquarters chose us by our specialty, dedication, and work record.”
As this is both Pubaya’s and Aryo‘s first time visiting the Unites States, a new environment can cause some anxiety. But both soldiers experienced a scene quite unexpected.
“The way the U.S. Soldiers have acted toward us has made us very comfortable these past few days,” said Purbaya. “The weather, environment and different kinds of operations that the U.S. has is different, but everyone has made it a beneficial experience so far.”
1st Lt. Davy Simanjaya of USACAPOC (A), a fluent Indonesian speaker, is a human recourses officer who has been escorting the Indonesian soldiers.
“I have made a lot of friends who I want to stay in touch with,” said Aryo. “Simanjaya has helped me a lot. He even showed us local restaurants and stores.”
The Indonesian jumpmasters, and the six other nations’, are expected to jump Dec 3rd and 4th, 2014 after performing their jumpmaster duties and land at Sicily Drop Zone . Once everyone is safely on the ground, the jumpmasters will then award their jump wings to the U.S paratroopers that followed their countries’ commands during the airborne operation.
The presence of the Indonesian soldiers at this operation adds more variety and excitement to the event, allowing for more cultural and military exchanges between all the partner nations.
“With all the different cultures represented here, more people are attracted to the event, which brings more donations,” said Purbaya. “Toy Drop is a very good experience. I hope more than four of us can attend for the next mission. We will even bring toys from our country.”
| Date Taken: | 12.04.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 12.04.2014 23:21 |
| Story ID: | 149466 |
| Location: | FORT BRAGG, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 630 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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