
Staff Sgt. Luke Hightower, 435th Contingency Response Group air traffic controller, waits for the estimated drop time of jumpers from a C-130J Super Hercules during International Jump Week near Alzey on July 7. Hightower’s responsibility was Drop Zone Safety Officer during the event, monitoring wind speeds and drop zone areas, ensuring the safety of more than 200 paratroopers.

Paratroopers exit a C-130J Super Hercules during International Jump Week July 9 on Ramstein. The 435th Contingency Response Group invited nine allied nations to participate in International Jump Week to boost camaraderie and learn how to work together.

Paratroopers from multiple allied countries enter a C-130J Super Hercules during International Jump Week July 7 on Ramstein.

Paratroopers wait to enter a C-130J Super Hercules during International Jump Week July 8 on Ramstein. Service members throughout Europe and as far away as New Zealand traveled to Germany for the five-day event. Every year to culminate the jump training, paratroopers from the allied countries gather for a wing exchange, where they exchange jump wings from fellow paratroopers, signifying the bonds built.

Paratroopers from nine countries check their equipment and prepare to exit a 86th Airlift Wing C-130J Super Hercules July 9 on Ramstein. U.S. Air Force and Army service members worked alongside nine allied countries’ militaries to increase interoperability and strengthen partnerships.

Staff Sgt. Pedro Palmer, 435th Security Forces Squadron contingency response fire team leader, assists a German military member with his harness before loading onto a C-130J Super Hercules July 9 on Ramstein. The 435th Contingency Response Group invited nine allied nations to participate in International Jump Week to boost camaraderie and learn how to work together.

Airman 1st Class Austin Lilly, 37th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, looks out the back of a C-130J Super Hercules ensuring paratroopers can safely exit the aircraft during International Jump Week July 8 on Ramstein. International Jump Week is an annual event giving paratroopers the opportunity to practice high altitude, low-opening and static-line jumps. Pilots, loadmasters and parachute riggers were also able to train during the week.

Airman 1st Class Lane Plummer, 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs photojournalist, takes photos of paratroopers from multiple allied nations as they exit a C-130J Super Hercules during International Jump Week July 9 on Ramstein. The five-day event was led by the 435th Contingency Response Group providing multiple nations with the opportunity to work side by side, increasing interoperability and strengthening relationships. Paratroopers traveled from throughout Europe, including England, Poland, Greece, France, Germany, Estonia, Czech Republic, Belgium and as far away as New Zealand to build stronger partnerships by jumping out of multiple C-130J Super Hercules aircraft assigned to the 37th Airlift Squadron on Ramstein.

Supporting units watch as paratroopers disembark from a C-130J Super Hercules and land nearby during International Jump Week near Alzey, July 7. During jump week, more than 200 U.S. and allied partners exited their designated aircrafts as paratroopers to strengthen and hone procedures and tactics. Supporting units included Air Force and Army medical personnel, air traffic controllers and land navigators.
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