Photo By Airman 1st Class Kourtney Ross | The 2024 Randy Oler Memorial Operation Toy Drop collects toys for donation on Pope...... read more read more
POPE ARMY AIRFIELD, NC— While Fort Liberty executes countless missions where the Airmen of 43rd Air Mobility Operations Group work behind the curtain to ensure the mission takes flight, undertakings such as the 2024 Randy Oler Memorial Operation Toy Drop is no different. Team Pope along with their joint partners supported this effort Dec. 9-12, 2024.
Before participants can load up and jump, planning starts long before. The 43rd Operations Support Squadron coordinates with Army units over multiple aspects of Operation Toy Drop. The mission was established in 1998 by then Staff Sgt. Randy Oler. The mission started as a training event and a way to bring soldiers together during the holiday season. As the mission grew more people became involved from sister services to international jumpmasters.
The toys are collected as the jumpers go to the flight line. At the end of mission, the toys are donated to Toys for Tots, a military approved charity organization. In this year’s Operation Toy Drop at Pope received more than 1,000 toys ranging from bikes to board games. Toys for Tots coordinates with local businesses and local community agencies to distribute the toys to unprivileged families.
To complete this endeavor, the 43rd OSS works two-fold to organize both the effort and mission both on and off the flight line. Off the flight line, they handle matters like lodging and rental cars.
On the flight line, the 43rd OSS continues to plan. As explained by Master Sgt. Shaun Bowlin, 43rd OSS operations superintendent, the 43rd OSS organizes parking spots for the airplanes each day while coordinating with members of Operation Toy Drop to find the safest and most effective way for the jumpers to reach the aircraft. Airfield management also files all the flight plans. While planning for the mission, airfield management and the 43rd OSS deconflicts real-world operations to continue other missions.
Outside the 43rd OSS building, support from Airmen moves from the 43rd OSS to the 43rd Air Mobility Squadron. Airmen in the 43rd AMS who provide fuel and oversee the loading of personnel and equipment on and off the aircraft. Aircrew on the aircraft call in requesting fuel as needed. Airmen from Petroleum, Oil and Lubricants (POL) are dispatched to the aircraft and fuel up. Afterwards, they refill the fuel trucks and wait for the next call.
Airmen who are air transport specialists, or Port Dawgs, securely transport cargo and passengers.
“We [Port Dawgs] facilitate [the 82nd Airborne Division Soldiers] from the passenger terminals out to the actual aircraft,” said Staff Sgt. Brandon Weimer, 43rd AMS aircraft services supervisor.
With all members and equipment packed with diligence and care, Air Force pilots prepare for launch.
“I think it’s really cool we can go and do something we love,” said Capt. Nathan Hartman, 58th Airlift Squadron, C-17 Globemaster lll aircraft pilot. “It’s a charity event to help underprivileged children in the area.”
Hartman was scheduled to fly on this mission two year ago, but was pulled to assist with a different mission.
The 2024 Randy Oler Memorial Operation Toy Drop is just one of the operations that require Airmen of the 43rd AMOG. As the operations from Fort Liberty continue the support from Airmen on the flight line are willing, able, ready.
| Date Taken: | 12.13.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 01.02.2025 08:02 |
| Story ID: | 487682 |
| Location: | POPE ARMY AIRFIELD, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 10 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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