Soldiers train on LCLA before deployment

August 21, 2010 |

by Pfc. Donte’ Gordon, 101st Sustainment Brigade

Fort Campbell, KY – Soldiers with the 129th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 101st Sustainment Brigade, are looking to use a more safe and reliable method of deliver supplies to Coalition Forces.

The Low Cost, Low Altitude, or LCLA, aerial delivery system allows Soldiers to deliver supplies without the inherent risks that ground convoys face. It uses a Sherpa C-23 aircraft, and is able to drop supplies directly into a Forward Operating Base.

Specialist Gregory Searcy, transportation management NCO of 129th CSSB, said this was the first time he had ever conducted Aerial Delivery training.

“You can deliver more supplies to Soldiers by using a method of travel by land, especially having multiple trucks that are able to ship more supplies,” he said.

Soldiers with the 129th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 101st Sustainment Brigade, watch as bundles from the C-23 Sherpa aircraft are pushed out. The Soldiers took part in the Low Cost, Low Altitude Aerial Delivery training to find a safe and reliable method of deliver supplies to Coalition Forces. (Photo by PFC. Donte’ Gordon - 101st Sust. Bde.)

The LCLA team is comprised of a drop master, who maintains communication with the loadmaster, maintains the static line, and insures that everyone is safe on the aircraft and prepared to do the mission.

Other team members include a push man, the two handlers supporting the load, and the load master. They all do their part to insure that the load is properly and safely dropped from the aircraft onto the landing zone.

Staff Sgt. Harvey Johnson, S3 Air NCOIC of 129th CSSB, said one of the goals of the exercise was to certify drop masters. A Soldier must be an E-5 or above to hold the title.

First Lt. Kyle Bender, battalion S3 air officer of 129th CSSB, said LCLA is just one technique of many used to deliver supplies to Soldiers in various FOBs.

“It’s very accurate, efficient, and can be done very quickly,” he said.

Bender said he believed this method of delivery is a great benefit for the Army.

“It’s about safety,” he said. “We also want to keep the amount of time the aircraft is in flight to a minimum to avoid any danger.”

“Before the mission begins, the Soldiers are briefed on what is to take place, what is to be accomplished, and the safety standards that are vital to the mission.”

“Less lives will be lost due to the growth of this training,” Searcy said. “And I’m pretty happy about that

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