Photo By Spc. Alexis Fischer | Soldiers assigned to the 108th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, conduct airborne...... read more read more
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FORT BRAGG, N.C. – For most Soldiers in the 108th Air Defense Artillery (ADA) Brigade, airborne operations are a familiar rhythm of training and readiness. For two jumpmasters completing their final jumps with the brigade before moving to new duty stations, the night’s descent carried a different weight – one built from years of mentorship, trust and service in the airborne community.
Sgt. Dawson Wemple, an air and missile defense team chief, and Sgt. Charles Connor, an air battle space manager assigned to 108th ADA Brigade, stepped onto the Fort Bragg drop zone for the last time as part of the formation they helped shape. Their final evening jump wasn’t just a closing chapter, but rather a tribute to the Soldiers they trained, the standards they upheld and the legacy they leave behind.
The operation began at dusk with the battery conducting gear checks, rehearsals and jumpmaster duties under fading light. Younger paratroopers gathered around the two NCOs, some joking, some quiet, all aware they were witnessing the end of an era within their formation.
As the aircraft lifted off into the night, both jumpmasters performed their duties with the same precision they demonstrated throughout their airborne careers. Inside the aircraft, they moved with practiced confidence, calling commands over the roar of engines. When the green light illuminated, they executed their final jump with the battery they served alongside for years.
Touching down on the dimly lit drop zone, they were greeted by fellow Soldiers who offered handshakes, hugs and respect.
Battery leadership highlighted the significance of the moment.
“As jumpmasters, they are consummate professionals,” said Capt. Phillip Goodwin, the commander of Echo Battery, 108th ADA Brigade. “They ease the mind of the weary paratrooper, and they have a calming presence about themselves, and it spreads throughout all of our paratroopers. They are not afraid to push everyone to their limits and then some.”
Goodwin also highlighted Wemple and Connor as experts and professionals in their respective fields, in addition to being exceptional jumpmasters.
Wemple said the moment felt surreal as he prepared to board the aircraft for the last time with the battery.
“The moment that meant the most to me was the conversations I had with younger paratroopers during the jumpmaster personnel inspections,” said Wemple. “I had the opportunity to get to know them, ease their nerves and mentor them before their jump.”
Wemple acknowledged the reward of serving as a jumpmaster is seeing the Soldiers gain confidence and complete the mission.
For Connor, the final jump was a reminder of why he chose to become a jumpmaster in the first place.
“Being a jumpmaster is about earning the trust of every paratrooper by upholding the highest standards of discipline, professionalism and accountability,” said Connor. “I hope I am not remembered for the jumps I made, but for helping develop confident, capable paratroopers who will carry that standard forward.”
Both jumpmasters will soon move to new duty stations and bring their experience and leadership to the next chapter of their careers. Here at Fort Bragg, their final jump will be remembered as a testament to their dedication to airborne operations and to the Soldiers who trusted them on every aircraft, every manifest and every drop zone.
As the moonlight lit up the drop zone, the battery gathered one last time around the two jumpmasters. There were no grand speeches, just the quiet understanding shared among paratroopers who know what it means to serve, to lead and to take that final step out the door.
Their airborne careers continue, but their legacy within the 108th ADA Brigade is already firmly grounded.
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| Date Taken: | 07.17.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 07.24.2026 12:31 |
| Story ID: | 570625 |
| Location: | FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 19 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Final Descent: 108th ADA BDE Jumpmasters Take Their Last Jumps Before PCS, by SPC Alexis Fischer, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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