Civil affairs soldiers conduct airborne operation

News: Civil affairs soldiers conduct airborne operation

352nd Civil Affairs Command PAO

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Story by Sgt. Erick Yates Follow This Journalist

Sgt. Erick Yates

Lt. Col. Gregory McMillan, 360th Civil Affairs Brigade, and Sgt. 1st. Class Frederick Riccio, 352nd Civil Affairs Command, await instructions from the jumpmaster before jumping out of a C-17 Nov. 19 in North, S.C. Soldiers with the 360th Civil Affairs Brigade conducted a routine jump for qualification.

NORTH, S.C. - Soldiers with the 360th Civil Affairs Command conducted an airborne operation at North Auxiliary Airfield in North, S.C., Nov. 19.

Reserve civil affairs soldiers met with crisp fall temperatures when they gathered for an airborne operation Nov. 19 at North Auxiliary Airfield in North.

Two groups of 360th Civil Affairs Brigade troops jumped from a C-17 for routine proficiency training. Planning such jumps can be difficult, said 352nd Civil Affairs Command Command Sgt. Maj. Harry Bennett, who joined the unit for its jump. Weather and other factors like mechanical issues with aircraft can cause jump times to be pushed back longer than expected or force soldiers who need to qualify to find a unit that is jumping as soon as possible, he said.

That was almost happened this time as sharp winds delayed the aircraft’s takeoff longer than expected. Even with the delay, 1st Sgt. Jerry Maddox, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 360th CA Bde., said he thought it went well.

“This was a very well-done event,” he said. “Everyone was professional and there were no injuries.”

For Spc. Susan Cessner, this was more than just a qualifying jump: It was her first with the unit since she finished Airborne School in June.

“[These jumps were] my sixth and seventh jumps,” said Cessner, who participated in both iterations. Even with the delayed takeoff, she said she thought the training went well.

“I think everything went smooth today,” Cessner said.

Before the actual jump, the group rehearsed by performing the various stages of jumping while they were still on the ground.