Air Force Master Sergeant Malcolm Mercado, 40th Airlift Squadron load master, prepares to throw a wind sonde out a C-130J Hercules transport aircraft Feb. 23, 2012, at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. This wind sonde device, part of the joint precision air drop system, is released at high altitudes over a drop zone to measure the wind prior to an actual cargo drop allowing aircrews to drop cargo at safe distances from enemy fire. Staff Sgt. Jonathan Snyder

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Photo credit: © Z2A1 / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
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Keywords: -130, .., afb, air, airmen, cargo, defense, drop, dyess, force, jpads, military, texas, training, united, usa, war