Photo By Staff Sgt. Brigitte Morgan | The foreign jump wings carefully counted and lined up by Soldiers from the 350th Human...... read more read more
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FORT BRAGG, N.C. - U.S. Army Soldiers and military personnel from eight partner nation countries joined together for the Randy Oler Memorial Operation Toy Drop, a collective airborne operation and charity event Nov. 30 to Dec. 8, 2017.
This year is the 20th anniversary of the multinational and joint airborne operation that has become a tradition that honors the memory of the mastermind of Operation Toy Drop, the late Staff Sgt. Randy Oler, jumpmaster with the U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne).
Oler passed away in 2004 while performing jumpmaster duties. Active and Army Reserve Soldiers stepped in to fill the operational role as a collective team effort.
“Although we continue doing amazing training and continue to contribute to the community, let’s not forget what else is going on here,” said Maj. Gen. Darrell Guthrie, commanding general from the USACAPOC (A). “One of our brothers in arms passed and this operation is a way to continue remembering him and honoring that Soldier.”
Operation Toy Drop allows Soldiers the opportunity to train on their military occupational specialty, while increasing their focused readiness, maintain their airborne readiness, and give back to the local community. Airborne Soldiers spend hours in line to receive a lottery ticket, hoping to get the opportunity to jump with foreign jump masters and potentially earn foreign jump wings.
“It feels good to give back to the community and I’m excited for this opportunity to get my foreign jump wings,” said Army Pvt. 1st Class Gene Parnell from the 5th Squadron of the 73rd Cavalry Division. “I’m just ready to jump.”
Soldiers, civilians and family members assigned to USACAPOC (A) take great pride in planning and executing this event every year. Soldiers spend many long hours planning and executing this training event. Although Operation Toy Drop is only a nine-day event, careful planning and logistics begins almost a year in advance.
“Each year, the logistics of the operation gets smoother,” said Army Col. Charles Butler, the G-4 Logistic Officer from USACAPOC (A). “There are improvements in the little things and it’s the little things that make it.”
Operation Toy Drop began in 1998 with more than 1,200 supporting staff and Airborne Soldiers that collected 550 toys to donate to local charities and organizations. This year, more than 4,500 Soldiers are participating in the exercise or are part of the supporting staff.
Sergeant 1st Class Catherine Reese, G2 Non-Commissioned Officer from USACAPOC (A), estimates that there will be over 6,000 toys collected this year.
“Its nice to give. The organizations are so appreciative,” said Reese.
The tradition of being a joint operational exercise continues as foreign jumpmasters from Botswana, Canada, Colombia, Germany Latvia, Netherlands, Poland, Italy, and Sweden participate. Together, they form the world’s largest joint and combined airborne and collective training operation.
Despite minor differences in policy, safety is the top priority for all involved.
“While the 82nd has its own standard of procedures, across the allied nations they’re not that much different,” said Army Capt. Patrick Lee, commander of A Battery 2nd Battalion 319th Army Field Artillery Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division. “We can have the confidence and fortitude that no matter who our jumpmasters are, their commands, their policies, and their safety procedures are not going to be that different from ours.”
Although it is unclear what will happen in the future, Operation Toy Drop has been a part of the Fort Bragg Paratrooper community for 20 years, and will continue for years to come.
“As a Command, we will always do our best to ensure Sgt. Oler’s legacy lives on through this venue that offers training opportunities that greatly build on the Army’s strength and readiness,” said Guthrie “all while continuing to support our community.”
| Date Taken: | 12.02.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 12.03.2017 19:51 |
| Story ID: | 257263 |
| Location: | FORT BRAGG, PENNSYLVANIA, US |
| Web Views: | 379 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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