United States Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Paul Koester

United States Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Paul Koester gathers his parachute after landing at Royal New Zealand Air Force Base Ohakea, New Zealand, Nov. 23 during Exercise Kiwi Flag. Kiwi Flag is a multilateral RNZAF-sponsored tactical airlift exercise held at RNZAF Base Ohakea. Koester, the 517th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron jumpmaster, conducted a high-altitude low-opening freefall parachute deployment from a C-17 Globemaster III with two other personnel. Koester began a 35-second freefall, before he opened the parachute at 3,500 feet, after which he underwent a 3-minute descent under canopy before landing at the drop zone. The C-17 is out of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. Koester is the pararescue functional manager for the Battlefield Airmen Branch at home station, Pacific Air Forces Headquarters at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. He hails from Colorado Springs, Colo. The three-man parachute team comprises two pararescuemen and a survive, evade, resist and escape specialist: two of the three job classifications that make up the U.S. Guardian Angel Weapon System, which also includes combat rescue officers. Kiwi Flag personnel are also supporting Exercise Southern Katipo - held in New Zealand's South Island - by managing air operations and providing cargo and passenger airlift including tactical air drops to SK participants. SK hosts nine countries involved in air, land and maritime operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Denise Johnson/Released)