317th AG conducts first JPADS training

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Charles V. Rivezzo
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The 317th Airlift Group successfully completed their first continental U.S. Joint Precision Airdrop System, or JPADS, airdrops on routine training lines Feb. 22 by dropping two bundles equaling 2,400 pounds at Fort Hood, Texas.

JPADS is an airdrop system that uses Global Positioning Satellite, steerable parachutes and an onboard computer to steer loads to a designated point of impact on a drop zone - similar to joint direct attack munitions.

While JPADS have been used in theater since 2006, the majority of aircrews don't get the opportunity to fine-tune their skills during training prior to executing this airdrop method during actual combat missions.

"The big deal about this effort is we are doing these airdrops as part of our local training missions," said Lt. Col. Kenneth Gjone, 317th Operations Support Squadron commander. "Before this, the first time most aircrews ever dropped JPADS was during combat due to the lack of training opportunities."

These GPS-guided airdrops offer several benefits, including an increase in the number of available drop zones and an increase in the cargo's precision. Furthermore, they increase the survivability of the aircraft and its crew by being able to complete standoff deliveries.

Traditional airdrops by Air Force airlifters, such as C-130s and C-17s, are at altitudes of 400 to 1,000 feet. With JPADS, those same aircraft have the potential to guide airdrop bundles from as high as 25,000 feet.

"Most enemy forces don't want to see supplies get to the guys on the ground and wouldn't mind taking a shot at mobility aircraft," said Maj. Justin Brumley, 317th OSS. "Because JPADS allow the aircraft to drop at high altitude, the aircraft can actually drop the load a good distance away from the drop zone, keeping aircrew safe from any potential threats in the area."

Although these airdrops are used sparingly, JPADS offer Air Force officials the capability to drop cargo with pinpoint accuracy in even the most hostile environments, making training crucial for employing this airdrop method.

"I had a pretty steep learning curve when it came to dropping JPADS during combat," said Brumley, who recently returned from operations in Southwest Asia. "I have been a JPADS operator and studying them for more than three years, but up until this past deployment, I had no actual experience dropping them."

"Practicing ahead of time during routine training missions will give aircrew much higher confidence and crucial experience to make sure those combat airdrops go as planned. Those are the ones we need to get right the first time," Gjone added.

Upon receiving its 28th and final C-130J in 2013, Dyess will host the world's largest C-130J force and continue its long-held reputation as one of the Air Force's premier airlift groups.

"Dyess has always had a great reputation when it comes to its aircrews because we train the way we fight," Brumley said.

"JPADS is just one way mobility forces support the warfighter," Gjone said. "By dropping JPADS in training missions prior to actual combat missions, we help to make sure our crews will get it right when it really matters. Lessons learned during training also help to validate, mature and advance this important developing technology."