Baltic Challenge '98

Combat controllers parachute into Lithuania

By Tech. Sgt. Jon Rosa
123rd Special Tactics Flight

	A Lithuanian Air Force crew prepares to take Staff Sgt. Duke Danforth, Senior Airman Matt Stearn, Tech. Sgt. Will Hill and Staff Sgt. Chris Baker on a parachute insertion mission aboard a Russian MI-2 helicopter.

Parachuting into the first country to break away from the Soviet Union was all in a day’s work for five Kentucky combat controllers.

The airmen deployed to Lithuania for Baltic Challenge ’98, a NATO exercise involving 11 nations and 5,000 troops that was held in the former Soviet Republic of Lithuania from July 10 through 28.

Parachutists from Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden and the United States donned their respective countries’ equipment for airborne training from Soviet aircraft.

Tech. Sgt. Will Hill, Staff Sgt. Chris Baker, Staff Sgt. Duke Danforth, Staff Sgt. Bill Sprake and Senior Airman Matt Stearn of the 123rd Special Tactics Flight participated in Baltic Challenge, and they came away from the exercise impressed with their Lithuanian military hosts.

"The 7th Dragoon Coastal Defense Battalion hosted many of the ground and support personnel," Hill said.

"They have a Combat Swimmers platoon and Explosive Ordnance team which provided role players for the scenario portion of the exercise."

The 123rd STF was responsible for controlling many of the international drop zones.

Hill, Danforth, Stearn and Staff Sgt. Bill Sprake (kneeling from left) worked directly with scores of Lithuanian and NATO troops during the exercise.

"Clearing airspace was especially challenging due to the lack of English-speaking soldiers," Stearn said.

"We had a Polish helicopter fly through airspace reserved for our drop zone, but we eventually got in touch with the pilot."

All the participants received training in tasks commonly required during peacekeeping missions --- check point control and observation, land convoy operations, mine awareness and counter-sniper techniques.

In the midst of those classes, specialty parachuting and humanitarian relief courses also were taught.

"We cross-trained with our Baltic aircrews and focused on familiarization and standardization in airborne operations," Sprake said.

"Later, we were evaluated on how well we learned and applied our peacekeeping skills."

The final event was a demonstration jump for the Lithuanian Minister of Defense held at Palanga International Airport.

The controllers agreed that taking part in this exercise was an outstanding opportunity.

"We received great training and hospitality, and made friends --- all in the spirit of Partnership for Peace," Hill said.

Copyright KYANG Cargo Courier 2000