Kaiserslautern American, August 5, 2016

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HAVE YOU READ YOUR KA TODAY?

August 5, 2016

Volume 40, number 31

US, allies join forces for International Jump Week by Airman 1st Class Joshua Magbanua 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs The U.S., along with seven other allied nations, united for International Jump Week 2016 July 24 through 28 at several different military installations in Germany. Paratroopers from Germany, France, the U.K., the Netherlands, Kosovo, the Czech Republic, Israel and the U.S. performed high-altitude, low-opening and static-line jumps out of C-130J Super Hercules aircraft from the 37th Airlift Squadron and U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook helicopters. “We do this every year in the summer with our partner nations,” said Capt. Danielle Dowds, 435th Contingency Response Group logistics officer, who participated in the jumps. “The events have been wonderful. It’s just a fantastic opportunity to get together with our partner nations, share our experiences and share our love for

Photo by Senior Airman Nesha Humes

Paratroopers jump out of a C-130J Super Hercules July 27 onto Bitburg Airfield, Germany. International Jump Week was hosted by the 435th Contingency Response Group and involved paratroopers from the U.S. and seven allied nations.

being airborne.” The weeklong event began on Rhine Ordnance Barracks with a welcome from Col. Patrick Daly, 435 CRG commander. For the

next four days, the coalition gathered on Ramstein in the morning to don their gear and board the aircraft. Afterwards, they fl ew to Bitburg Airfield where the

jumps were conducted. Hosted by the 435 CRG, International Jump Week builds camaraderie between U.S. troops and their allies. It also gives them the oppor-

tunity to exchange methods pertinent to airborne operations. “Our jumpmasters link up with theirs, and we all have tactics, techniques and procedures that we learn from each other,” Dowds said. “It’s truly an honor to share this capability together and to learn from each other. “This is a huge (partnership-building) event for the 435 CRG ... (and) camaraderie is at the heart of all of it,” Dowds continued. Cpl. Ian Chapman, British army reservist, was also happy to work with the allies of his country. Chapman said he attended International Jump Week last year but was not able to jump every day due to inclement weather. He voiced his enthusiasm about being able to go on every jump this year. “I had a fantastic time,” Chapman said. “Everybody’s gotten on like a house on fire. It’s been really good See JUMP WEEK, Page 2

The Airmen were first taught how to set up and dismantle the tents through step-by-step, hands-on instruction, then they repeated the process with minimum assistance from the training leader. For the third cycle, the Airmen were timed as they built the tent and broke it down. Staff Sgt. Alexei Nikitin, 435th Contingency Response Squadron contingency engineer craftsman,

Tip of the Week No lawn mowing during quiet hours! The use of motor-powered lawn mowers or other garden equipment is only permissible from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and is not permitted on Sundays or German holidays.

AFCEA hosts Ramstein Technology Exposition, Page 3

explained that though the system was new to the Airmen, they learned quickly and were able to get the job done. “After seeing their second setup and teardown of the tent, I’m overjoyed that their (teamwork) and work ethic has pulled them together,” Nikitin said. Nikitin was not only pleased with See 435 CRG, Page 3

LIFESTYLES

Airmen with the 435th Contingency Response Group conducted training on a new tent model July 18 on Ramstein. Noncommisioned offi cers with the 435 CRG taught the Airmen how to assemble and disassemble

the Tent Model 60. “We’ve moved from the Alaskan Small Shelter System to (TM60) tents in order for us to be able to be more mobile and also to have a shorter setup and teardown time,” said Capt. William D. Calkins, 435 CRG bare base flight commander. “We and the (435th) Contingency Response Squadron are tasked to be as mobile as possible, and we’re really charged to take our own stuff with us.”

FEATURES

Story and photos by Airman 1st Class Joshua Magbanua 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

NEWS

435 CRG Airmen train on new tents

86 VRS keeps Ramstein rolling, Page 7

Federal street closes for bikers, hikers Sunday, Page 12


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