US supports Portuguese paratroopers

Photos by Senior Airman Jonathan Stefanko
Allied service members wait for the opening ceremony to begin for exercise Real Thaw Feb. 21 in Beja, Portugal. Real Thaw 16 is a Portuguese-hosted NATO exercise that provides tactical training to multiple participating nations. Its aim is to merge and employ different aerial platforms towards one major objective, covering a vast range of activities to include defensive and offensive counterair operations, high-value air assets protection and slow-mover protection. Nations participating this year include the U.S., Portugal, Belgium, Denmark, France, the Netherlands, Norway and Spain.
Allied service members wait for the opening ceremony to begin for exercise Real Thaw Feb. 21 in Beja, Portugal. Real Thaw 16 is a Portuguese-hosted NATO exercise that provides tactical training to multiple participating nations. Its aim is to merge and employ different aerial platforms towards one major objective, covering a vast range of activities to include defensive and offensive counterair operations, high-value air assets protection and slow-mover protection. Nations participating this year include the U.S., Portugal, Belgium, Denmark, France, the Netherlands, Norway and Spain.

 

Portuguese paratroopers jump out of a Ramstein C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 37th Airlift Squadron as part of exercise Real Thaw 16 Feb. 22 in Beja, Portugal. The 37th AS Airmen supported approximately 70 paratroopers during the event.
Portuguese paratroopers jump out of a Ramstein C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 37th Airlift Squadron as part of exercise Real Thaw 16 Feb. 22 in Beja, Portugal. The 37th AS Airmen supported approximately 70 paratroopers during the event.

 

Approximately 70 Portuguese paratroopers board a C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 37th Airlift Squadron as part of exercise Real Thaw 16 Feb. 22 in Beja, Portugal.
Approximately 70 Portuguese paratroopers board a C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 37th Airlift Squadron as part of exercise Real Thaw 16 Feb. 22 in Beja, Portugal.

 

A Portuguese jumpmaster smiles with excitement before taking off in a C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 37th Airlift Squadron as part of exercise Real Thaw 16 Feb. 22 in Beja, Portugal.
A Portuguese jumpmaster smiles with excitement before taking off in a C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 37th Airlift Squadron as part of exercise Real Thaw 16 Feb. 22 in Beja, Portugal.

 

U.S. Army jumpmasters inspect a Portuguese paratrooper before loading onto a C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 37th Airlift Squadron during exercise Real Thaw 16 Feb. 22 in Beja, Portugal.
U.S. Army jumpmasters inspect a Portuguese paratrooper before loading onto a C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 37th Airlift Squadron during exercise Real Thaw 16 Feb. 22 in Beja, Portugal.