Every year Fort Bragg participates in the largest Airborne Operation in the world. The 14th Annual Randy Oler Memorial Operation Toy Drops consists of Americans being partnered with Jumpmasters of Allied Countries. There will be approximately 4,000 paratroopers jumping tomorrow to receive foreign jump wings. In order to be a part of it (if you are put on the jump by your unit) you have to provide a new unwrapped toy to donate. Today was the manifest for all the jumpers to get info for tomorrow and there was also a lottery held for those who were not given hard slots, 300 additional jumpers were selected.
We were so excited when we found out that Kyle was going to be on this jump. He was supposed to do it last year but unfortunately it didn't work out. This year he is on Chalk 2 and will be jumping for Cambodian Jump Wings with his XO, Sergeant Major and Battalion Commander. He is the only staff officer who does not have foreign wings so this is very exciting for him. We will be getting up at 2:00am to head out to the drop zone. I love watching Kyle jump and he loves it!! So I will be seeing a lot of this tomorrow:
It is also very inspiring that this operation will donate thousands of toys to Toys for Tots. This is the 14th year for this event and according to reports it just keeps getting bigger. I will post pictures after the jump tomorrow!
I hope everyone has a great weekend!!!
i never got to do a toy drop and I was at bragg for 6 years. i wasn't in the 82d, though, so maybe that's why. but i'm jealous! what a great cause though!
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