LEON, Spain -- LEON, Spain – Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Africa 19.2, Marine Forces Europe and Africa, supported exercise Lone Paratrooper with a KC-130J Super Hercules and aerial-delivery Marines at Leon Air Base, Spain, May 6-8, 2019. Lone Paratrooper is a multinational exercise hosted by the Spanish Armed Forces to improve training tactics, exchange knowledge, and build relationships among allied and partner nations.
During the exercise, members from Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, France, Italy, Brazil, and, the United States came together to exercise aerial-delivery tactics. Hundreds of jumpers and three aircraft participated in the training evolution.
“Participating in this exercise helps to strengthen our relationships with the foreign nations and exchange training tactics,” said Sgt. Claryssa Salcedo, a parachute safety officer with SPMAGTF-CR-AF 19.2. “It allows us the opportunity to train together and learn from each other.”
Paratroopers rehearsed high-altitude high-opening and high-altitude low-opening tactics together over the course of three days. Jumpers were able to increase overall proficiency in packing their parachutes and executing free-fall jumps with and without a simulated combat load. Aerial-delivery offers quick and tactical insertion of personnel and essential equipment.
With the support from the SPMAGTF-CR-AF 19.2 aviation combat element, the aircrew and aerial delivery Marines were able to enhance their operational capabilities while supporting jumpers from partner nations.
“Being able to work with seven different nations at one place allows me to see the bigger picture of why we conduct these training exercises and it makes me love my job even more.” Salcedo said.