CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - Marines with Air Delivery Platoon, 2nd Transportation Support Battalion, participated in a jump exercise aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, April 9, 2015.
Marines jumped out of the MV-22 Osprey while the air crew dropped cargo packages rigged with parachutes.
“My favorite part of these training exercises is when you’re in the [aircraft] waiting for the green light to jump,” said Staff Sgt. Cristian D. Irula, a platoon sergeant with Air Delivery Platoon and a native of Palmdale, California. “It’s exhilarating knowing that, at any moment, you’re going to be jumping out of a plane. It feels like you’re flying.”
Irula said the unit currently has approximately nine Marines participating in the Weapons and Tactics Instructor course in Yuma, Arizona, which allowed them to open up the training exercise to other units. Marines with Combat Logistic Regiment 2 and 2nd Radio Battalion were invited to fill the remaining seats during the exercise.
The Marines are required to perform at least one jump every three months, but the unit typically does several exercises a month. Irula said the Marines in the unit are constantly deploying and the extra training helps them carry out the mission by ensuring they’re proficient in safely getting supplies to the ground.
Lance Cpl. Tarrez j. Germaine, a parachute rigger with 2nd Radio Battalion and a native of Snellville, Georgia, says she is telling people back home that she has the greatest job.
“My friends can’t say they’ve jumped with a fraction of the gear I’m wearing,” Germaine said. “I’m getting the experience of a lifetime.”
Date Taken: | 04.09.2015 |
Date Posted: | 04.10.2015 20:22 |
Story ID: | 159719 |
Location: | CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
Hometown: | PALMDALE, CALIFORNIA, US |
Hometown: | SNELLVILLE, GEORGIA, US |
Web Views: | 103 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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