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Photo 1 of 7
86th Airlift Wing/Public Affairs
U.S. Army paratroopers assigned to the 1st Squadron (Airborne), 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, assigned to Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, board a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Jan. 20, 2021. The 37th Airlift Squadron provided air assets and air crew personnel during the paratroopers’ jump qualification. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Milton Hamilton)
Photo by: Senior Airman Milton Hamilton
Photo 2 of 7
86th Airlift Wing/Public Affairs
U.S. Army paratroopers assigned to the 1st Squadron (Airborne), 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, assigned to Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, conduct buddy-checks during a paratrooper briefing at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Jan. 20, 2021. Approximately 30 paratroopers, additional personnel, numerous vehicles, containers and supply pallets deployed from Grafenwoehr to Ramstein Air Base within hours of notification. (U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Milton Hamilton)
Photo by: Senior Airman Milton Hamilton
Photo 3 of 7
86th Airlift Wing/Public Affairs
A U.S. Army paratrooper assigned to the 1st Squadron (Airborne), 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, assigned to Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, tightens the straps of a parachute for another soldier during a buddy-check at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Jan. 20, 2021. Once the paratroopers arrived at Ramstein they immediately initiated mission planning, joint rehearsals and the air-load process with Airmen assigned to the 37th Airlift Squadron and the 86th Logistical Readiness Squadron. (U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Milton Hamilton)
Photo by: Senior Airman Milton Hamilton
Photo 4 of 7
86th Airlift Wing/Public Affairs
U.S. Army paratroopers assigned to the 1st Squadron (Airborne), 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, assigned to Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, prepare to board a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Jan. 20, 2021. The paratroopers conducted static-line jumps into Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany while being supported by 37th AS pilots and loadmasters. (U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Milton Hamilton)
Photo by: Senior Airman Milton Hamilton
Photo 5 of 7
86th Airlift Wing/Public Affairs
U.S. Army paratroopers assigned to the 1st Squadron (Airborne), 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, assigned to Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, sit in a U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules aircraft prior to a military static line jump, Jan. 20, 2021. The 37th Airlift Squadron, based at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, provided aircraft for approximately 116 Soldiers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Milton Hamilton)
Photo by: Senior Airman Milton Hamilton
Photo 6 of 7
86th Airlift Wing/Public Affairs
U.S. Army Pvt. Michael Button, a scout assigned to the 1st Squadron (Airborne), 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, assigned to Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, dons a parachute in preparation for a static line jump at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Jan. 20, 2021. After being outfitted with equipment, each Soldier performed a buddy check to ensure each parachute was properly secured. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Milton Hamilton)
Photo by: Senior Airman Milton Hamilton
Photo 7 of 7
86th Airlift Wing/Public Affairs
U.S. Army paratroopers assigned to the 1st Squadron (Airborne), 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, assigned to Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, jump out of a U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, Jan. 20, 2021. The 37th Airlift Squadron, based at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, provided air assets and air crew personnel during the paratroopers’ jump qualification. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Milton Hamilton)
Photo by: Senior Airman Milton Hamilton
The U.S. Army’s 173rd Airborne Brigade, joined forces with the 37th Airlift Squadron to conduct a rapid deployment exercise of personnel and equipment on Jan. 20, 2021.
“This joint exercise by the 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade and the 86th Airlift Wing demonstrates that the 173rd Airborne Brigade can rapidly deploy from anywhere to meet our Army Contingency Response Force mission in support of U.S. Army Europe and Africa,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Josh Brown 1-91 CAV, commander.
As part of the Army Contingency Response Force in Europe, elements of the 173rd Airborne Brigade can rapidly deploy to conduct contingency operations in Europe, Africa and Asia. To do this well, both organizations coordinate regularly to conduct these deployment readiness exercises.
Since Aug. 2020, the 173rd Airborne Brigade has expanded its responsibilities, aligning with the U.S Army’s Southern European Task Force – Africa, and gaining expanded alert requirements supporting U.S. Africa Command in addition to U.S. European Command.
“The 1-91 Cav is a rapidly deployable, Airborne Cavalry Squadron responsible for maintaining a cohesive, combat ready, army contingency response force,” Brown said.
Strengthening interoperability, the 173rd Airborne worked seamlessly with the 37th AS and 86th AW air and ground assets to further enhance their training and mission capabilities.
“As the primary C-130J Super Hercules aircraft lift asset in Germany and Italy, the 37th AS and the 173rd Airborne maintain a strong working relationship in support of fixed wing air support,” Brown said. “Our professional and personal relationships bolster the combat readiness of the 173rd allowing us to provide a critical capability as Europe and Africa’s emergency responders.”
The 173rd Airborne Brigade and their joint partners in the 37th AS routinely conduct deployment readiness exercises from both Germany and Italy into numerous drop zones in Europe. Exercises like this set the foundation for expanding the joint capability to deploy both Airborne and Stryker capabilities anywhere in support of EUCOM, AFRICOM and U.S. Central Command priorities.
“We provide a ready-now option that is tailorable and scalable to commanders at echelon in the EUCOM, CENTCOM and AFRICOM through execution of rapid, no-notice deployment in support of non-standard mission sets,” Brown said.
During the training exercise, approximately 130 paratroopers, additional personnel, numerous vehicles, containers and supply pallets deployed from Grafenwoehr to Ramstein Air Base within hours of notification.
“During Airborne operations, we hone our paratroopers' proficiencies and competencies to ensure our paratroopers can conduct their jobs and meet the commander's intent,” said U.S Army Capt. Dean Purpura, 1-91 Cavalry air operations and training officer.
Once the paratroopers arrived at Ramstein they immediately initiated mission planning, joint rehearsals and the air-load process with 37th AS loadmasters to prepare for their follow-on mission.
Capping off the exercise, 1-91 Cavalry conducted static-line jumps back into Grafenwoehr Training Area from a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft while being supported by 37th AS pilots and loadmasters.
“This mission is more than just an Airborne operation,” Brown said. “It is a truly joint and multifunction endeavor, and relies on a great number of organizations all seamlessly working together. This is why we must practice these missions under multiple conditions, and often.”
