821st LZSO/DZSO supports combat aircraft for first time

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Robert Hicks
  • 621st Contingency Response Wing

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – A group of Airmen from the 621st Contingency Response Wing supported Combat Air Forces and Mobility Air Force assets simultaneously at a semi-prepared runway at Ft. Irwin, something the landing zone safety team and the drop zone safety team have never done before.

During a routine mission to support three C-17 Globemaster III, the team was also requested to support 18 A-10s Thunderbolt II and four Pararescue jumpers from the 342nd Training Squadron.

The drop zone safety team ensures the conditions of the DZ will not affect operations or recovery of the jumpers. Additionally, they ensure the DZ meets operational and safety requirements; specifically there is nothing hazardous to the jumpers such as trees, powerlines, bodies of water and only personnel and equipment required to be on the DZ are there. The LZSO team inspected the LZ ensuring the dirt surface was sufficient size and density to permit multiple takeoffs and landings for the A-10s.

“The opportunity for the 621st CRW to work with CAF aircraft was nothing short of amazing,” said Master Sgt. Michael Dean 821st Contingency Response Squadron, drop zone safety officer. “We are the absolute best in the world at what we do and pride ourselves in remaining flexible in responding to ever changing conditions.”

Throughout the training the unit demonstrated the ability to extend beyond the traditionally supported mobility mission and into the support of combat aircraft. The team explained they typically work with cargo aircraft because of the nature of the mission in the CRW, but can support any request.

“We are able to accommodate virtually any request for support of semi prepared runway operations by having dedicated personnel on the ready to validate SPRO airfields and provide command and control,” Dean Said. “Additionally, this allows the CRG to provide more resources to help train and support our aircrew partners and ultimately provide greater mission capabilities for the future warfighter.”

The CRW plans to continue training with CAF to develop more capabilities.

“The training was great for all parties involved,” said Capt. Jerry Carrol, 821st CRS LZSO team lead. “We have to ensure to keep communication flow between the units open so we can accomplish more training events such as this one to make sure we continue to develop unique CRW capabilities that has the potential to directly affect and improve our national security.”