Photo By Staff Sgt. William Gillespie | Singapore Army Third Warrant Officer Xiande Kiew pins the jump wings of his country on...... read more read more
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FORT BRAGG, N.C. – Countries from all around the world joined together to take part in the 19th annual Operation Toy Drive here to give back to the community and improve both American and its foreign partners’ airborne abilities.
Operation Toy Drop is the largest annual combined airborne training operation in the world in which Soldiers bring toys to give back to the local communities while also receiving training from foreign jumpmasters and culminating in the Soldiers earning their airborne wings of the country they jump with.
Of the eight countries participating this year, Singapore is experiencing OTD XIX for the first time.
The Singapore team showed great appreciation and excitement about being able to attend OTD XIX at Fort Bragg this year.
“It is a privilege to be here,” said Singapore Army Second Warrant Officer Sinayah Sangilee. “I appreciate the opportunity to be here and take part in this training.”
“We are very glad to be here,” he continued. “The teaching is similar to what we do in Singapore, but to be able to learn the different methods from all the other countries is great.”
“We will be able to take this training back and share it with our countrymen,” said Singapore Army Master Sgt. Rajenthiran Subramaniam.
Many of the United States Soldiers were excited at the chance to jump with the visiting jumpmasters, and the jumpmasters were just as excited to work with the Americans.
“The close friendship we have gained is great, “Subramaniam said. “We are like family now; everyone is so friendly; they make us feel we are home.”
While OTD is known as a toy drive to collect gifts for local children who may not be as fortunate as others, it is ultimately more about the training than anything.
“It is great to be able to help the children,” Sangilee said. “But, to work with all the countries and learn all these techniques is just amazing – this needs to continue each year.”
“This is an experience you cannot gain anywhere else in the world,” he continued. “If you are given the chance to attend [OTD], do not pass it up.”
| Date Taken: | 12.11.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 12.11.2016 16:52 |
| Story ID: | 217227 |
| Location: | FORT BRAGG, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 139 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Singapore joins OTD XIX, by SGT Darryl Montgomery, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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