910th provides lift for toy drop Published Feb. 9, 2011 440th Airlift Wing Public Affairs story localized by Tech. Sgt. Dennis Kilker Jr. · 910 AW/PA. -- Pope Field, N.C., was busier than Santa's workshop on Dec. 11, 2010, as 13 Air Force planes sat patiently waiting to take paratroopers into the sky, a not-so-strange place to find parachute-clad servicemen. Usually these servicemembers are armed with rifles, but on this mission, the only requirement is a toy. Lending two aircraft to the operation, the 910th Airlift Wing added to what has become a holiday tradition in the Fort Bragg and Fayetteville, N.C. area. "The 910th has been involved for the last two years and pretty much takes a lead role in the operation," said Senior Master Sgt. Paul L. Miller, flight engineer with the 773rd Airlift Squadron. For 13 years the 18th Airborne Corps and U.S. Army Civil Affairs Psychological Operations Command combined efforts to host the Randy Oler Memorial Operation Toy Drop that provides valuable training for paratroopers and collects toys for local children in need. This year's toy drop requried Army paratroopers to donate a toy in order to receive a chance to win one of 400 slots to jump from a C-130 or C-17 with a jump master from an allied country, subsequently receiving a set of that country's wings.Nine countries participated this year including Germany, Botswana, Canada, Chile, Estonia, Thailand, Poland, Latvia and Ireland. "This event is a win-win for everyone involved," said Col. Merle Hart, 440th Airlift Wing Commander based at Pope Field. "Our Airmen provide the airlift support and receive training, the paratroopers get to jump and our local children in need receive presents they might not ordinarily get." YARS Servicemembers said participation in the toy drop is very rewarding. "We like to participate in (Operation: Toy Drop)" because it's a lot of fun," said Sergeant Miller. "Literally tens of thousands of people put in for this jump and only a few hundred are selected. It's a big deal." Eight other Air Force units provided 11 additional aircraft, including C-130s and C-17s from active duty, Guard and Reserve units. Pope Field C-130 pilots Maj. Tony Franks and Capt. Justin Chandler coordinated the event for the Air Force. "We felt a big sense of relief when the first trail of 90 jumpers from the C-17 and the 50 jumpers from the C-130 safely landed in the drop zone," said Captain Chandler. "We had to monitor the weather closely and completed just under 1300 jumps before the constant rain rolled in." The 7,000 toys donated by the participants were sent to 26 organizations ranging from children's homes to hospitals. "This was a very rewarding experience," said Captain Chandler. "I learned so much about what it takes to coordinate a big event with different agencies. The Army was great to work with, and all-in-all Toy Drop at Pope Field is an on-going success story for Total Joint Force Integration."