Joint operations increase resupplies, ease burdens

Photo By Cpl. Michael Augusto | Marines with the Air Delivery Platoon, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward), work alongside airmen with the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron aboard Camp Bastion, Helmand province, Afghanistan, March 25. Service members loaded supplies onto the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III aircraft to conduct the first air drop with the Air Force since the beginning of operations in Afghanistan.  

HELMAND PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

03.25.2011

Story by Staff Sgt. Theresa Seng 

II Marine Expeditionary Force   

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan – The Air Delivery Platoon, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward) completed its first air drop with the Air Force since the beginning of operations in Afghanistan, March 25.

While the Air Force currently supports air delivery missions in Afghanistan, this drop was the first in which Marines from an Air Delivery Platoon rigged, loaded and inspected the supplies for the operation.

“This mission marks the first time that Marine Corps Air Delivery partnered with Air Force assets in order to increase the amount of supplies delivered via parachute,” said Gunnery Sgt. Christopher Whitley, paraloft chief for the 2nd MLG (Fwd.).

The delivery was completed by the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron based out of Al Udeid, Qatar, flying the C-17 Globemaster III, which has a 115,000 pound greater payload than the C-130 Hercules.

“Utilizing Air Force assets enabled the platoon to increase the amount of support we can provide for other Marine Corps units,” said Whitley. “The most important benefit of any air delivery mission is that it reduces the amount of Marines and vehicles on the road. Without air delivery, a lot of space on convoys would be taken up by basic food, water and ammunition that would better serve for items like repair parts or items that can’t be air dropped.”

Previously the Marine Corps was utilizing organic assets delivering to internal units. Increasing the interoperability between the Marine Corps and Air Force will ultimately reduce the burden of the Army Sustainment Brigades, which were previously conducting 95 percent of all air delivery missions in theater.

• Date Taken: 03.25.2011
• Date Posted: 03.28.2011 02:53
• Story ID: 67832
• Location: HELMAND PROVINCE, AF