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    Spartan Jump Masters train in Greece

    Spartan Jump Masters train in Greece

    Photo By Staff Sgt. Melissa Parrish | U.S. Army Sgt. Michael Moore, the noncommissioned officer in charge of air operations...... read more read more

    ELEFSINA, GREECE

    02.04.2015

    Story by Sgt. Melissa Parrish 

    KFOR Regional Command East

    ELEFSINA, Greece – Jump masters from Multinational Battle Group-East, participated in Stolen Cerberus II, a two-week training exercise to maintain proficiencies during deployed operations and increase interoperability with the Hellenic Armed Forces Feb. 5.

    This is the second year of the training exercise, but the first year for these U.S. Army jump masters that participated in the event.

    U.S. Army Sgt. Michael Moore, a cavalry scout, noncommissioned officer of air operations for MNBG-E and jump master with the 1st Squadron (Airborne), 40th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division said this wasn’t just your typical airborne operation.

    “We came down from Kosovo to do the partnership airborne mission,” said Moore. “We learned their tactics and techniques and they learned ours. We are building relations and actually participating in airborne operations together adds a personal touch.”

    The first day of the training Moore and the team of jump masters toured the airfield, the rigger facility (where they pack the parachutes) and performed jump master rehearsals.

    “The first day we were getting a feel of how they run their airborne operations,” said Moore. “There were similarities and differences and we had to tailor our way of how we do things. There are always learning opportunities from multinational partners and there is always a way to find a common ground from the differences.”

    Although there were some differences in how the Greek paratroopers operated, the similarities of their initial airborne training stood out to Moore.

    “We stayed at their airborne school here, and it was awesome to see their airborne students going through the exact same training that we have to go through,” said Moore. “There were soldiers running around the base calling cadence, they were going through the mock door training, and it was all of the same things I did in airborne school so it was nice to see that.”

    The language barrier was not an issue between the U.S. and Greek forces, and both services taught each other key words used in airborne operations.

    “I was nervous at first because we don’t speak Greek, and I didn’t expect them to speak English, but I think it went really well,” added Moore. “Regardless of the language barrier every paratrooper understands the airborne way.”

    Greek Army Maj. Aris Gazarian, Greek training officer in charge and a Greek jump master, jumped out of the C-130J aircraft with the U.S. Army jump masters.

    “It was a great opportunity to do an airborne operation with U.S. soldiers, that we don’t get often,” said Gazarian. “Anytime we can see how other countries operate it is a great learning event for all.”

    Gazarian has over 80 static line jumps, but this was his first time jumping with U.S. Soldiers performing jump masters duties.

    “The U.S. jump masters are extremely professional and good at what they do,” said Gazarian. “I had complete trust in the airborne operation today and I knew I was in good hands.”

    The U.S. jump masters performed jump master personnel inspections (JMPI) on the Greek paratroopers to ensure their parachutes were safe to jump and also safety duties inside of the aircraft.

    “Trust is vital when you are jumping out of an airplane,” said Gazarian. “If you don’t trust the jump masters then there is no security. You will be listening to their commands and they are responsible for our safety. I trusted them completely.”

    “I postponed my leave to be here for this operation and I am glad I was able to jump out of a perfectly good U.S. airplane,” added Gazarian as he smiled. “I couldn’t miss being apart of this.”

    The training mission brought U.S. and Greek military forces together to build and strengthen the bonds shared between the two countries.

    “The more experience we receive, the more ability we have to overcome difficulties and become better as a whole,” said Gazarian. “That’s what this training was all about.”

    The jump masters and Greek paratroopers performed a day and night jump. This training allowed Greek paratroopers to earn U.S. airborne wings and helped the U.S jump masters remain current.

    “It’s always good when we can train with other forces,” said Moore. “Any time you perform airborne operations with someone new, you learn things. Some are good some are bad, but you take away what is most important.”

    The airborne operation ended with the U.S. Soldiers pinning the Greek soldiers with the U.S. Army airborne wings and both services exchanged unit patches.

    Moore is coming back next week with a different group of jump masters to do the training again.

    “I am ready to come back to do this again,” said Moore. “I will take what I learned here and expand on it. This was an awesome experience.”

    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 02.04.2015
    Date Posted: 02.07.2015 07:13
    Story ID: 153876
    Location: ELEFSINA, GR
    Hometown: KILLEEN, TEXAS, US

    Web Views: 618
    Downloads: 1

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