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Hickam answers the call for joint service training

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Nathan Allen
  • 15th Wing Public Affairs
FORT BENNING, Georgia --  The C-17 Globemaster III from the 15th Wing at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, Hawaii, must have looked like an angel sent from heaven as it soared through the skies before touching down here Sunday. In the eyes of the Jumpmasters who operate the 1st Battalion, 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment, the plane and its crew truly must have been sent from above.

The 507th Airborne School is a three-week course consisting of three week-long branches: ground, tower, and jump. According to U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class David Dzwik, Master Trainer for the school's jump branch, an aircraft will drop approximately 2,500 paratroopers a week on average. After only two days working with the Soldiers, the Hickam tail had already dropped more than 1,600.

"Each week, the [request] goes out to C-17 and C-130s communities for them to provide support," he said. "C-130s obviously don't have the carrying capacity that the C-17s obviously has, so they have to do more lifts than the C-17 is required to do."

To draw in aircraft to support their paratrooper training classes, the 507th will put out a "contract" asking aircrews who need to bolster their qualifications to come give students the five jumps they need to graduate. It is always a welcomed sight to see a C-17 sitting on the flightline.

"They're a lot happier with a C-17," Sergeant Dwitz said. "It's been awhile since Hickam has been able to support the school. Normally, airdrop crews from Charleston and McChord get the opportunity because they're obviously closer in proximity. It's a rare opportunity for Hickam."

From there, any plane can respond to the request though it is rare to see an aircrew come from an overseas base. Chief Master Sgt. Lou Orrie, 15th Operations Group superintendent and loadmaster for the C-17 providing support, the opportunity to bring a C-17 all the way from Hickam was a welcome if not rare opportunity.

As the military becomes more and more of a joint force, it makes sense that both students and jumpmasters in the 507th represented four of the five military branches. According to Chief Orrie, training together in a joint situation fosters an environment of support and understanding between branches.

"[Joint training] provides that level of mutual support for one another," the chief said. "The more exposure we're able to get from them and they're able to receive from us, the better understanding we have when it comes time to do things for real. It creates more of a common ground for everybody."

Sergeant Dzwik said working alongside jumpmasters from the Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy have educated him on each branch's airlift capabilities.

"They really do a good job," he said. "I've learned a lot here about what the other services do and corrected a lot of misconceptions I had before. I've always worked with the Air Force because I've always been in an airborne unit, but learning about the capabilities of other branches has been a real learning experience."

Chief Orrie said that, in his experience, Hickam's ability to get paratroopers out the doors at such a high rate was unprecedented and the aircrew's skill in performing their respective roles both efficiently and safely is nothing short of extraordinary.

"I thought when I did 900 jumpers in two days the last time I was down here was hoofing it," he said. "Knocking out 1,600 plus, and having the crew in place to be able to do things right and do them quickly...the crew has just been exceptional."

Sergeant Dzwick called the Hickam tail a "godsend" because of its willingness to push the tempo in which troopers came out the door at a rate other planes could not. This was accomplished in part by using both side doors, taking shorter turns around the drop zone, and stopping less to refuel.

"We were a little shocked, but man I am glad they're here," Sergeant Dzwick said. "We kept telling [Chief Orrie] how indebted we were to them and they were almost confused by that. The crew was confused saying 'what are you talking about? That's what we're here for.'"

According to Chief Orrie, Sergeant Dzwik's praise for Hickam's aircrew has been compounded by just about everyone affiliated with the 507th and its mission.

"From the jumpmasters, the support office, and all the way up to their brigadier general, who flew with the crew Oct. 12, everyone has said (the aircrew) is nothing but exceptional," he said. "They were so far behind, and in a matter of two days they are now ahead of schedule -- that speaks volumes."