Air Commandos practice free fall over Mildenhall

An Air Commando assigned to the 321st Special Tactics Squadron anticipates a military free fall from a CV-22 Osprey March 17, 2017, over RAF Mildenhall, England. The exercise also included Air Commandos performing free falls from an MC-130J Commando II and allows flight crew and 321st STS members to practice safely deploying from aircraft to reach designated drop zones. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Justine Rho)

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Air Commandos practice free fall over Mildenhall

Air Commandos assigned to the 321st Special Tactics Squadron execute a military free fall from a CV-22 Osprey, March 17, 2017, over RAF Mildenhall, England. The exercise also included Air Commandos performing free falls from an MC-130J Commando II and allows flight crew and 321st STS members to practice safely deploying from aircraft to reach designated drop zones. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Justine Rho)

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Air Commandos practice free fall over Mildenhall

A flight engineer assigned to the 7th Special Operations Squadron opens the cargo ramp of a CV-22 Osprey assigned to the 7th Special Operations Squadron, March 17, 2017, over RAF Mildenhall, England. Once the aircraft neared the drop zone, members of the 321st Special Tactics Squadron prepared for a military free fall. The exercise allowed flight crew and 321st STS Air Commandos to practice safely deploying from aircraft to reach designated drop zones. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Justine Rho)

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Air Commandos practice free fall over Mildenhall

Air Commandos from the 321st Special Tactics Squadron perform a military free fall from an MC-130J Commando II March 17, 2017, over RAF Mildenhall, England. Air Commandos practice free falls to stay prepared and highly trained for real-world situations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)

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Air Commandos practice free fall over Mildenhall

Air Commandos from the 321st Special Tactics Squadron perform a military free fall from an MC-130J Commando II March 17, 2017, over RAF Mildenhall, England. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)

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Air Commandos practice free fall over Mildenhall

Air Commandos from the 321st Special Tactics Squadron perform a military free fall from a CV-22 Osprey March 17, 2017, over RAF Mildenhall, England. Military free fall is used when landing a military aircraft is impractical due to rough terrain or hostile territory. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Chris Sullivan)

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Air Commandos practice free fall over Mildenhall

Air Commandos from the 321st Special Tactics Squadron parachute to the ground after performing a military free fall from CV-22 Osprey and MC130J Commando II aircraft March 17, 2017, over RAF Mildenhall, England. The exercise allowed flight crew and 321st STS Air Commandos to practice safely deploying from aircraft to reach designated drop zones safely. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Chris Sullivan)

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Air Commandos practice free fall over Mildenhall

Air Commando from the 321st Special Tactics Squadron recovers his parachute after performing a military free fall from an MC-130J Commando II March 17, 2017, over RAF Mildenhall, England. Airmen from the 352nd Special Operations Wing exercised the procedure from MC-130J and CV-22 Osprey aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Chris Sullivan)

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Air Commandos practice free fall over Mildenhall

Published March 22, 2017
By Capt. Chris Sullivan
352nd Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

RAF Mildenhall -- Air Commandos assigned to the 321st Special Tactics Squadron executed a military free fall from a CV-22 Osprey and MC-130J Commando II, March 17, 2017, over RAF Mildenhall, England. Military free fall is an alternative method of insertion Special Operations Forces use when landing a military aircraft is impractical due to rough terrain or hostile territory. The exercise allowed aircrews and Special Tactics Airmen the opportunity to practice safely deploying personnel from the aircraft to a designated drop zone.