The 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment hosted its annual Operation Toy Drop Dec. 14 to train with allies and partners and donate toys to local charitable organizations here.
Due to poor weather conditions, airborne-qualified paratroopers from the U.S. Army, allies, and partners could not jump but donated toys to help children and their families this holiday season.
Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Airborne and Ranger Training Brigade, and qualified paratroopers from across the installation joined their counterparts from Canada, Chile, and British soldiers in collecting toys.
Canadian, Chilean, Britain, and U.S. Army paratroopers can earn their foreign jump wings by jumping with foreign service jumpmasters.
“It’s a time to build partner interoperability so it can enable us to work in future training, and I am here to earn my foreign jump wings,” said Lt. Samuel Hennind with the 2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment, British Army.
Operation Toy Drop builds unit cohesion, strengthens bonds with allies and partners, and brings the entire community together for a great cause during the holiday season.
The toys collected will be donated to Santa’s Castle on Fort Benning and the local Salvation Army in Columbus, Georgia.
According to Lt. Col. Brian McCray, battalion commander with the 1st Battalion, 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment, this was an opportunity to train with allies and partners and for the Fort Benning community to help families in need over the holidays.
“It’s an opportunity for building partnership capacity,” said McCray, “It shows we are here to train, and we are here to give back to the community.”
The link to the Toy Drop gallery.
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