FORT BENNING, Ga. — For the paratroopers of the 1st Battalion, 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Airborne and Ranger Training Brigade, the holiday season officially begins at several thousand feet. On Dec. 16-17, 2025, the unit hosted its annual Operation Toy Drop, a hallmark tradition where more than 350 Soldiers exchanged a toy donation for a seat on a tactical aircraft.
"Most large airborne units will put on a toy drop operation around the holidays," said Master Sgt. Gustavo Quintero, the 1-507th PIR operations sergeant major. This year, the mission included partners from the United Kingdom, Canada, Brazil and Germany. Under the "wing exchange" program, U.S. Soldiers earned foreign wings by placing their trust in allied jumpmasters who conducted inspections and jump commands.
The operation utilized a diverse fleet of airframes to facilitate the mass-entry exercise. Paratroopers exited from U.S. C-130 Hercules planes, as well as CH-47 Chinook and UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters. Notably, the German Air Force provided an A400M Atlas, marking the first time in over a decade that the airframe has been used for airborne operations at Fort Benning. The aircraft served as a primary jump platform for the multinational exchange.
To facilitate the jump, paratroopers used a mix of specialized equipment tailored to the partnership. This included the standard U.S. T-11 parachute system as well as German EPC (Ensemble de Parachutage du Combattant), allowing Soldiers to train on the specific gear used by their international counterparts.
Chilean forces also participated, jumping with U.S. forces to earn American wings and strengthen regional bonds. For participants like Sgt. Miletsy Robles, a parachute rigger inspector with Echo Company, 1-507th, the dual nature of the jump—training and charity—is what makes the event unique. "The adrenaline is always going to be there," Robles said, "but knowing it's for the kids who might need a better Christmas this year—it's totally worth it."
"We have our partners participating with us, and that shows the interoperability of our armies and our airborne forces, and the deep-rooted esprit de corps shared by paratroopers worldwide," said Lt. Col. Michael Venafro, commander of 1-507th PIR.
By the end of the operation, four "kicker boxes" were filled with over 500 toys, all of which were delivered to Santa’s Castle on Dec. 18. This final delivery ensured that the tactical proficiency gained in the air translated into tangible support on the ground. By combining multinational airborne certification with local charity, Operation Toy Drop remains a primary vehicle for Fort Benning to strengthen its ties with both global allies and the local military community during the holiday season.
For more pictures of the event, click here.
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