3 US 'guardian angels' drop into New Zealand-hosted exercise [Image 9 of 10]

RNZAF BASE OHAKEA, NEW ZEALAND

11.23.2013

Photo by Senior Master Sgt. Denise Johnson 

Defense Imagery Management Operations Center     

United States Air National Guard Tech. Sgt. Pat Gault daisy-chains the suspension lines of his parachute after touching down from a 9,500-foot freefall jump in the waning daylight at Royal New Zealand Air Force Base Ohakea, New Zealand, Nov. 23 during Exercise Kiwi Flag. Kiwi Flag is a multilateral RNZAF-sponsored tactical airlift exercise held at RNZAF Base Ohakea. Gault, a 517th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron jumpmaster, conducted a high-altitude low-opening freefall parachute deployment from a C-17 Globemaster III with two other personnel. Gault began a 35-second freefall, before he opened the parachute at 3,500 feet, after which he underwent a 3-minute descent under canopy before landing at the drop zone. The C-17 is out of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. Gault is a pararescueman at home station for the 212th Rescue Squadron at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. The three-man parachute team comprises two pararescuemen and a survive, evade, resist and escape specialist: two of the three job classifications that make up the U.S. Guardian Angel Weapon System, which also includes combat rescue officers. Kiwi Flag personnel are also supporting Exercise Southern Katipo - held in New Zealand's South Island - by managing air operations and providing cargo and passenger airlift including tactical air drops to SK participants. SK hosts nine countries involved in air, land and maritime operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Denise Johnson/Released)

• Date Taken: 11.23.2013
• Date Posted: 11.28.2013 17:53
• Photo ID: 1062929
• VIRIN: 131123-F-FB147-240
• Resolution: 2136x3216
• Size: 863.37 KB
• Location: RNZAF BASE OHAKEA, NZ