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A container delivery system lands at Powidz Air base, Poland, April 15, 2015. The 37th Airlift Squadron had the honor of airdropping the bundle which was a first at Powidz. Approximately 130 service members from throughout Europe along with Airmen from the 302nd Airlift Wing arrived to Powidz to train alongside their Polish counterparts as part of an aviation detachment rotation.
The CDS is a method to drop supplies from an aircraft to ground personnel. Supplies are loaded onto a delivery system, and then airdropped from the aircraft onto specific landing zones with the help of a cargo parachute.
“Being part of a team to be the first to drop this type of cargo at Powidz is truly amazing,” said Airman 1st Class Brandon Ravenell, 37th AS loadmaster. “I didn’t find out until after the drop that we were the first, and to know we are setting the pace for future training is great.”
The ability to airdrop supplies onto landing zones is a critical component to resupplying ground troops.
Now able to incorporate the CDS training at Powidz, the 37th AS Airmen hope to hone this skill during future training.
“We used to have to fly to an off-site location to airdrop CDS bundles and that could be a hassle for the guys driving long distances to collect and bring back,” Ravenell said. “Now it takes only minutes to reach the drop zone, making it easier on everyone involved and allowing more time to train.”
While it is an invaluable capability for the 37th AS Airmen to practice, their Polish counterparts have a lot to gain here as well.
“I love to see training done here more often,” said Polish air force St. Chor. Jarostaw Koztowski, 33rd Air Base loading zone survey training concluded April 17, the U.S. and Polish airmen take time together to reflect on the skills they gained, the milestones they completed and the friendships made.
