A U.S. Army A C-17 Globemaster III drops paratroopers

A U.S. Army A C-17 Globemaster III drops paratroopers from 1st Infantry Battalion, 501st Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, based in Alaska, into Kapyong Drop Zone in Shoalwater Bay Training Area July 17, during Talisman Sabre 2011. The drop was part of the unit's annual training and to showcase their capabilities to the Australians. "It's a strategic message that we can put a battalion anywhere in the Pacific theater within 18 hours from launch," said Master Sgt. Adam Smith, U.S. Army Pacific Headquarters exercise sergeant major. Several Australian Defence Force paratroopers also made the jump. Talisman Sabre 2011 is a biennial international joint training exercise aimed at improving and validating the Australian Defense Force and United States combat readiness and interoperability as a combined joint task force.