82nd Sustainment Brigade Hosts LCLA Drop

Photo By Spc. David McCarthy | Food and water supplies are dropped from an aircraft operated by the 19th Air Wing out of Little Rock, Ark. The drop, part of a Low Cost Low Altitude (LCLA) Traning event, was hosted by the 82nd Sustainment Brigade at Nijmegen Drop Zone on May 3.  

FORT BRAGG, NC, UNITED STATES

05.03.2012

Story by Spc. David McCarthy 

82nd Airborne Division Sustainment Brigade

FORT BRAGG, N.C. - On May 3, 82nd Sustainment Brigade and the 19th Air Wing out of Little Rock, Ark. hosted a Low Cost Low Altitude (LCLA) Drop, at Nijmegen Drop Zone, where they dropped food and water supplies. Sustainment units are looking at the LCLA as a possible solution to getting supplies effectively to secluded areas.

“It’s a low cost parachute system that a unit can purchase to have things delivered to them rapidly when they are at remote outposts while downrange,” said Staff Sgt. Steven Ritley, 82nd Sustainment Brigade Master Jumpmaster. “The Low Cost Low Altitude system is used to deliver needed supplies like water, Meals Ready-to-Eat or other small items,” he said.

Dropping supplies from a lower altitude lessens the chance that the supplies will drift off their mark, and potentially into enemy hands. However, dropping supplies at a lower altitude is just a part of what makes an LCLA rig more versatile. The chute itself is also beneficial to almost any operation.

“One of the best parts about these chutes is that they don’t have to be recovered after use,” said Sgt. 1st Class Anthony Haire, 11th Quartermaster Maintenance Platoon Sergeant. “LCLA chutes come pre-packaged, which saves time for the riggers and makes it easier overall when it comes to operations,” he said.

“This is beneficial because it is showing the other units on Fort Bragg what capabilities we have within the 82nd Sustainment Brigade,” said Ritley.

The ease of use and versatility of the parachutes associated with the LCLA drops combined with the lack of need for recovery of the chutes saves time and money. Sustainment units, like the 82nd Sustainment Brigade, are looking to make more use of these unique chutes as they continue to increase their operational capabilities.

• Date Taken: 05.03.2012
• Date Posted: 05.10.2012 17:46
• Story ID: 88250
• Location: FORT BRAGG, NC, US