By Capt. Jessica Tait, 353rd Special Operations Group Public Affairs, 353rd Special Operations Group / Published October 04, 2017
U.S. Air Force 320th Special Tactics Squadron and 31st Rescue Squadron operators conduct military free fall operations from a U.S. Air Force 17th Special Operations Squadron MC-130J Commando II Sept. 21, 2017, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The training provided an opportunity for the 320th STS and 31st RQS to stay proficient in their combat and life-saving skillsets. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Jessica Tait)
U.S. Air Force 17th Special Operations Squadron loadmasters prepare a U.S. Air Force MC-130J Commando II to support military free fall operations for U.S. Air Force 320th Special Tactics Squadron and 31st Rescue Squadron operators Sept. 21, 2017, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Experts in specialized aviation, the 17th SOS conducts training operations often to ensure they are always ready to perform a variety of high-priority, low-visibility missions throughout the Indo-Asia-Pacific Region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Jessica Tait)
U.S. Air Force 320th Special Tactics Squadron and 31st Rescue Squadron operators discuss the sequence of events for military free fall operations with U.S. Air Force 17th Special Operations Squadron aircrew Sept. 21, 2017, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The training provided an opportunity for the 320th STS and 31st RQS to stay proficient in their combat and life-saving skillsets. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Jessica Tait)
U.S. Air Force 320th Special Tactics Squadron and 31st Rescue Squadron operators prepare parachute equipment for military free fall operations from a U.S. Air Force 17th Special Operations Squadron MC-130J Commando II Sept. 21, 2017, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The training provided an opportunity for the 320th STS and 31st RQS to stay proficient in their combat and life-saving skillsets. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Jessica Tait)
U.S. Air Force 320th Special Tactics Squadron and 31st Rescue Squadron operators prepare parachute equipment for military free fall operations from a U.S. Air Force 17th Special Operations Squadron MC-130J Commando II Sept. 21, 2017, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The air drop capability provided by the 353rd Special Operations Group enables long-range rescue and rapid response to humanitarian or security crises. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Jessica Tait)
A U.S. Air Force 320th Special Tactics Squadron jumpmaster looks out the back of a U.S. Air Force 17th Special Operations Squadron MC-130J Commando II prior to military free fall operations Sept. 21, 2017, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The training provided an opportunity for the 320th STS and 31st RQS to stay proficient in their combat and life-saving skillsets. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Jessica Tait)
A U.S. Air Force 320th Special Tactics Squadron operator conducts final checks on parachute equipment in preparation for military free fall operations from a U.S. Air Force 17th Special Operations Squadron MC-130J Commando II Sept. 21, 2017, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The air drop capability provided by the 353rd Special Operations Group enables long-range rescue and rapid response to humanitarian or security crises. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Jessica Tait)
A U.S. Air Force 320th Special Tactics Squadron jumpmaster looks out the back of a U.S. Air Force 17th Special Operations Squadron MC-130J Commando II prior to military free fall operations Sept. 21, 2017, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Special tactics operators perform rescue operations and humanitarian missions in locations where aircraft cannot land. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Jessica Tait)
U.S. Air Force 320th Special Tactics Squadron and 31st Rescue Squadron operators sit in the back of a U.S. Air Force 17th Special Operations Squadron MC-130J Commando II prior to military free fall operations Sept. 21, 2017, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The training provided an opportunity for the 320th STS and 31st RQS to stay proficient in their combat and life-saving skillsets. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Jessica Tait)
A U.S. Air Force 320th Special Tactics Squadron pararescueman sits in the back of a U.S. Air Force 17th Special Operations Squadron MC-130J Commando II in anticipation for military free fall operations Sept. 21, 2017, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Special tactics operators perform rescue operations and humanitarian missions in locations where aircraft cannot land. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Jessica Tait)
A U.S. Air Force 320th Special Tactics Squadron jumpmaster signals the time prior to the start of military free fall operations from a U.S. Air Force 17th Special Operations Squadron MC-130J Commando II Sept. 21, 2017, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The air drop capability provided by the 353rd Special Operations Group enables long-range rescue and rapid response to humanitarian or security crises. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Jessica Tait)
U.S. Air Force 320th Special Tactics Squadron and 31st Rescue Squadron operators look out the window of a U.S. Air Force 17th Special Operations Squadron MC-130J Commando II prior to military free fall operations Sept. 21, 2017, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The training provided an opportunity for the 320th STS and 31st RQS to stay proficient in their combat and life-saving skillsets. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Jessica Tait)
A U.S. Air Force 17th Special Operations Squadron loadmaster looks out the back of a U.S. Air Force MC-130J Commando II prior to military free fall operations with U.S. Air Force 320th Special Tactics Squadron and 31st Rescue Squadron operators Sept. 21, 2017, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Experts in specialized aviation, the 17th SOS conducts training operations often to ensure they are always ready to perform a variety of high-priority, low-visibility missions throughout the Indo-Asia-Pacific Region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Jessica Tait)
U.S. Air Force 17th Special Operations Squadron loadmasters look out the back of a U.S. Air Force MC-130J Commando II prior to military free fall operations with U.S. Air Force 320th Special Tactics Squadron and 31st Rescue Squadron operators Sept. 21, 2017, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The air drop capability provided by the 353rd Special Operations Group enables long-range rescue and rapid response to humanitarian or security crises. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Jessica Tait)
A U.S. Air Force 320th Special Tactics Squadron jumpmaster and 17th Special Operations Squadron loadmaster discuss safety considerations prior to military free fall operations from a U.S. Air Force MC-130J Commando II Sept. 21, 2017, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The air drop capability provided by the 353rd Special Operations Group enables long-range rescue and rapid response to humanitarian or security crises. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Jessica Tait)
A U.S. Air Force 320th Special Tactics Squadron jumpmaster signals the start of military free fall operations from a U.S. Air Force 17th Special Operations Squadron MC-130J Commando II Sept. 21, 2017, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The air drop capability provided by the 353rd Special Operations Group enables long-range rescue and rapid response to humanitarian or security crises. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Jessica Tait)
U.S. Air Force 320th Special Tactics Squadron and 31st Rescue Squadron operators conduct military free fall operations from a U.S. Air Force 17th Special Operations Squadron MC-130J Commando II Sept. 21, 2017, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The air drop capability provided by the 353rd Special Operations Group enables long-range rescue and rapid response to humanitarian or security crises. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Jessica Tait)