<i>By 1st Lt. Jonathan Charney
5th Quartermaster Theater Aerial Delivery Company, 39th Transportation Battalion (MC)</i>
OSLO, Norway - Royal Norwegian Forces learned low-cost but "high-speed" aerial delivery ops from the best, as parachute riggers from the 5th Quartermaster Theater Aerial Delivery Company, part of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command's 16th Sustainment Brigade, taught Norwegian allies the nuances of cost-effective techniques Jan. 11-14 near Oslo.
The riggers provided expert coaching on effective employment of a low-cost aerial delivery system used by the RNF for humanitarian missions in Africa.
The first day, Staff Sgt. Waylon McGuire and Sgt. William Matthaey, along with the 5th QM rigger team, provided an overview and instruction on the low and high-velocity systems to key leaders and Norwegian riggers.
The 5th QM riggers explained how to properly rig different types of aerial delivery bundles, and trained the Norwegians on the correct way of rigging the low-cost, high-velocity containers. Afterward, McGuire and Matthaey tested the Norwegian forces' knowledge of their new skills, leading hands-on practical exercises. By the end of the second day, Norwegian forces had rigged three low-cost, high-velocity containers and low-cost, low-velocity door bundles.
Norwegian loadmasters and pilots also presented their plane-rigging procedures to 5th QM's riggers during the instructional period.
A total of six low-cost, low-velocity and six low-cost, high-velocity bundles dropped from a Norwegian aircraft at altitudes of 800 to 1,500 feet. At Rena drop zone, more than 120 miles from the Norwegian base, members of the 5th QM rigger team described and demonstrated how to conduct aerial delivery recovery correctly.
Sgt. 1st Class Ronnell Gillespie, an aerial delivery platoon sergeant from 5th QM, described the training as an effective means of building interoperability.
"It's simple," he said. "Both of our nations, along with our allies, must ensure that we can support one another. An example would be when a plane pulls onto the landing strip - we all need to know that no matter what flag is on the plane we will all be able to support each other."
The training, organizers said, contributed to a "Strong Europe" and a stronger NATO, teaching the Norwegian Forces low cost aerial delivery system refresher training while helping to enhance their airdrop capabilities and fostering positive future relations.
Royal Norwegian Forces Maj. Jens Bolstad liaison stated, "I'm very pleased with the knowledge and professionalism of the 5th QM TADC team and I look forward to future aerial delivery training opportunities."
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