High performance aircraft bolster U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground operations

By Mr. Mark Schauer (ATEC)August 4, 2015

High performance aircraft bolster U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground operations
Since late last year, a U.S. Army Special Operations Command flight detachment has operated at U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground to support the expanding operations of the Military Freefall School, the tenant unit that trains elite parachutists. The C27J... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

YUMA PROVING GROUND, AZ-- U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground's 2,000 square miles of restricted airspace is getting busier.

Home to a wide variety of combat helicopter and unmanned aircraft testing, the proving ground also flies thousands of air drop test sorties in a typical year.

Since late last year, a U.S. Army Special Operations Command flight detachment has operated at the proving ground to support the expanding operations of the Military Freefall School, the tenant unit that trains elite parachutists.

"We have active duty pilots and active duty crew members from the Army flying an Army cargo plane," said Sgt. 1st Class Cody Gustin, detachment sergeant. "No contractors are involved except for maintenance."

The Casa-212 aircraft that currently ferry freefall students for their jumps are being replaced by C27Js, a larger and faster aircraft that more closely resembles the type of planes Special Forces operators use around the world.

"We can get two to three times as many jumpers in a plane at a time, get to altitude quicker, and get back down quicker," said Gustin. "The Casa is a capable aircraft, just not that fast."

The C27J, formerly used as a niche cargo plane to supplement the larger C-130, was extensively tested at YPG prior to being fielded and is regarded by many as a high performance aircraft.

"It's got the same engine as a C-130J, with a great deal less drag and mass," said Gustin. "It's an extremely capable aircraft."

The first of the high performance planes arrived in mid June, with a second joining it shortly after Independence Day. The detachment expects to fly numerous sorties per day, and enjoys the mission immensely.

"Working for the freefall school here is like working for an Operational Detachment Alpha for the twenty-something years I was in the Regiment ," said Chief Warrant Officer Christopher Eicher, unit commander. "I have a specific mission, a specific team I'm working with, and every day we are doing something important."

The detachment expects an additional C27J by the end of the year, and YPG's Laguna Army Airfield already shows the detachment's presence. A new operations building, tensioned fabric hangar and large sunshade are in place, and another sunshade will be built in the near future.

"We've got a good start," said Eicher. "Hopefully we can save the Army money and get in lots of good training."