700th Airlift Squadron participates in joint operations toy drop Published Dec. 16, 2010 By Maj. J. Robert Light 700th Airlift Squadron DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. -- In 1998, Sgt. First Class Randall R. Oler, U.S. Army, began Operation Toy Drop. He developed the idea of paratroopers exchanging a new toy for the opportunity to jump with a foreign jumpmaster and earn the foreign airborne badge. Approximately 550 toys were gathered the first year. To date, over 25,000 toys have been collected and distributed to children in need from Fort Bragg, Pope AFB, and the surrounding communities. Sgt. First Class Oler died on April 15, 2004 while airborne performing jumpmaster duties. Operation Toy Drop was officially renamed "The Randy Oler Memorial Operation Toy Drop" on Oct. 18, 2004. . Operation Toy Drop is hosted by US Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (USACAPOC) and consists of one large airborne operation conducted with XVIII Airborne Corps, several USAF/AFRC/ANG airlift wings and US Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) units supported by aircraft from the USASOC Flight Detachment. The guest foreign jumpmasters learn to jump from each of the aircraft types with US Army jumpmasters. The total operation spans fourteen days. It begins with jumpmaster training and aircraft familiarization, followed by ten days of airborne operations and ends with a banquet hosted by USACAPOC. The day prior to the drop has the feeling of Christmas morning. As the hundreds of airborne soldiers who have come from all over the country are packed into a large room, they anxiously await the calling of their number in the lottery for parachutes. Their gift of a toy is payment for the lottery ticket that will be drawn deciding whether or not they will be chosen to jump. This year, Operation Toy Drop XIII, was flown on Dec. 11 and included 1,850 jumpers from 10 countries over Sicily Drop Zone in the Ft Bragg/Pope AFB complex. Those countries participating were Botswana, Canada, Chile, Estonia, Germany, Ireland, Latvia, Poland and Thailand. The total force of eleven aircraft came from Dobbins, Charleston, Charlotte, Keesler, Minneapolis, Nashville, Pope, Rhode Island and Youngstown and consisted of the following types, (9)C-130H/Js and (2)C-17s. The 700th Airlift Squadron from Dobbins ARB provided over two crews plus maintenance support with two aircraft. Though not required by the crews, our Airmen were responsible for adding at least 50 toys to Santa's bag and smiles to more children. The crews consisted of variety of experience levels from senior evaluators and first time air droppers. Due to weather conditions deteriorating rapidly, the 700th two-ship flew the last two airdrops of 96 paratroopers teamed up with Irish and German jumpmasters. The terrible weather not only provided excellent training for the inexperienced crewmembers but a great challenge for the senior ones. Overall, the experience was very satisfying in many ways; valuable training was provided for not only our airlifters but for our Army brethren, coalition partners, and working with other units. The most important fulfillment comes with knowing that on Christmas morning, many underprivileged children will joyfully wake to a gift from Santa and the men and women who serve our grateful nation.
