Aerial Delivery of Supplies
The possibility of transporting troops and supplies by air and landing at points behind enemy lines was conceived by General “Billy” Mitchell in the First World War.
The possibility of transporting troops and supplies by air and landing at points behind enemy lines was conceived by General “Billy” Mitchell in the First World War.
Airdrop operations in the first sustained Chinese offensive against the Japanese in WWII.
The Amsac was developed after IB personnel engaged in air supply activities pointed out that the container previously used was costly, elaborately built, capable of carrying relatively small loads, and difficult to obtain in large quantities.
Wrapped separately in cotton, and surrounded by rice husks are delicate medical supplies and instruments, urgently needed by the jungle fighters below. Then the packs sit down nicely and you’re sure they’re OK.
The idea of dropping people and things safely out of the sky has been around for a long time. As far back as the late 15th century, ...
“When there is no book, write the book!” Members of the 8081st Army Unit (full designation: Quartermaster Airborne Air Supply & Packaging Company) were faced with this alternative a few weeks after their arrival in Japan in September 1950.
It was one of the biggest days in the history of the para-Quartermasters, just two wars old. The Marines by nightfall of December 7 were on the receiving end of 265 tons of supplies, fluttered into their ranks by nearly 14,000 parachutes.
The following extracts are from a report of the proceedings of a committee which met on March 27th to study the problem of Quartermaster support of Airborne operations.
The history of the development of Airborne logistics provides an interesting story leading to the development of Airborne doctrine of supply.
It has been our business for the last eight years to help the Airborne divisions change things around, until we’re almost as proud of the things dropped from our airplanes as we are of the airplanes themselves.
The new Airborne Quartermaster Parachute Maintenance Company has the mission of providing parachute packing and maintenance, and supply support for Airborne Division units.
On Armed Forces Day, May 20th, Quartermaster personnel at Fort Lee were treated to a preview of their own armed forces in action in a war of the future when forty paratroopers of the 407th Airborne Quartermaster Company “hit the silk” in a demonstration of the very latest fashion in Quartermaster supply.
Needed items were delivered by air, courtesy of the U.S. Army, Air Force and other United Nations Forces as part of Operation Provide Promise.
The food and medical stores are nearly gone. Combined with the harsh winter weather, that situation is producing about 20 fatalities each day.
This exercise was yet another example of military personnel from various services working well with each other, with pride or ‘hooah’, and with the spirit of teamwork enabling them to accomplish any mission assigned. Exercises such as this are of great value to our Quartermaster leaders and soldiers.
New Cumberland Army Depot (NCAD), PA, participated in the U.S. Army’s Operation Dragon Tail recently by delivering supplies directly from the wholesale level to awaiting soldiers on the ground at Fort Bragg, NC.
The 5,000 Club originated in 1979 when the 82d Airborne Division began keeping individual packing statistics. Members of this special group are riggers who have packed over 5,000 successive malfunction free parachutes.
The detachment’s most visible mission is providing for the airdrop of supplies and equipment to all USAREUR units during training or in any future conflict.
Airdrop, as Army Systems go, is a relatively new method of delivering people, supplies and equipment into difficult-to-reach or enemy-held areas.
Airdrop is a proven way to provide logistical support when fighting, outnumbered, against an enemy with significantly shorter supply lines. This realization drives development of new airdrop equipment.
On 1 July 1940, CW4 Ward volunteered to join the original Parachute Test Platoon being formed at Fort Benning, Georgia. He was one of 48 enlisted soldiers selected from over 200 volunteers from the 29th Infantry Regiment.
Airdrop technology will take on an even greater role in the future, as humanitarian operations increase in frequency and demand for the rapid deployment of food, medicine and relief shelters rises.