Paratrooper makes first jump with 1-82nd Airborne in Iraq

By Spc. Kayleigh J. Sjostrom 1/82 AAB, USD-CMarch 1, 2010

Waiting for the jump
AL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq - Pfc. Matthew Fram, a chemical specialist with Battery B, 3rd Battalion, 319th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division (Advise and Assist), waits at the airfield to load a C-130 aircraft at Al Asad Air Ba... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

AL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq - Private 1st Class Matthew Fram did not expect to make his first jump after airborne school with 82nd Airborne Division in Iraq.

The chemical specialist with Battery B, 3rd Battalion, 319th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division (Advise and Assist), made his first jump since graduating from the U.S. Army Airborne School at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, Feb. 16.

The jump was planned to refresh the airborne skills of paratroopers for a potential partnered U.S.-Iraqi airborne training exercise this spring.

"I'm excited to be a part of this [airborne operation]," said Fram prior to jumping. "I can't wait to jump."

The athletically-inclined Fram became a paratrooper through a natural process. He played hockey growing up and then lacrosse at Clark University in western Massachusetts.

During his senior year of college, Fram said he decided he wanted to do something different with his life. He joined the Army and attended Basic Combat Training Jan. 14, 2009, and graduated four months later.

"I wanted to do something exciting, and being airborne definitely satisfied that," he said.

After completing airborne school, Fram was assigned to 82nd at Fort Bragg, N.C. In August 2009, he deployed with 1st Brigade to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Paratroopers are required to make five successful jumps at airborne school in order to become airborne qualified. Fram made his sixth jump with 1/82 AAB while deployed.

"This is the most unique experience I have had since I joined," said Fram. "Not too many people can say their first jump with Division was in Iraq."