317 AG two-for-two on target
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Korey King, 40th Airlift Squadron, prepares to release a wind sonde from a C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 317th Airlift Group prior to an airdrop training mission Aug. 14, 2012, at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. This wind sonde device is part of Joint Precision Airdrop System (JPADS), and is released at high altitudes over a drop zone to measure the wind prior to an actual cargo drop. JPADS is a cargo parachute system that incorporates an onboard global positioning system able to guide the cargo with pinpoint accuracy to a designated drop zone. JPADS also allows cargo to be dropped from higher attitudes, allowing aircraft to safely avoid enemy ground fire. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Richard P. Ebensberger/ Released)