The Colombian Air Force has successfully completed a multinational personnel airdrop mission using a Casa 295 transport aircraft at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, US.
The mission was carried out in collaboration with the US Air Force (USAF) during Mobility Guardian exercise.
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French and Pakistani airforce personnel also participated in the mission, which was conducted on 6 August.
Colombian Air Force mission planner major Jesus Cortes said: “The US planning cell provided us with a lot of information, like the route and mission.
“We also gathered information for an international jump and were able to brief our crews to accomplish the mission.”
The airdrop mission saw 19 multinational service members from Colombia, France and Pakistan jumped out of the Casa 295 into the drop zone situated in Larson, Washington.
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By GlobalDataTwo meetings were held to facilitate effective communication and provide time for jumpers to prepare their gear prior to the exercise.
The US Air Mobility Command-led Mobility Guardian exercise seeks to improve the capabilities of mobility airmen by preparing them to succeed in dynamic threat environments, while strengthening partnerships, discovery, learning and improving together as an integrated team, the USAF stated.
USAF 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) strategic plans and programmes deputy director lieutenant colonel Daniel Mangan said: “This exercise demonstrates the success of years of partnership between the US and Colombia.
“Their performance was absolutely superb, especially considering the fact that they planned, led, and executed a multinational jump.
"This is positive proof that Colombia is a security exporter and a first-rate strategic partner for the US.”
The Colombian Air Force is currently focused on increasing its participation in the global defence community by projecting its capabilities through allied interoperability and joint operations.
Image: Colombian Air Force members suit-up for a multinational personnel airdrop from a Casa 295 aircraft. Photo: courtesy of the US Air Force by staff sgt. Angela Ruiz.
