U.S. Marines train with JPADS Joint Precision Air Drop System.

U.S. Marines with Air Delivery Platoon, Landing Support Company, 3rd Transportation Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 3, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, conducted air delivery operations with JPADS on Ie Shima, Okinawa, Japan June 6, 2019. The training was a big step forward for III Marine Expeditionary Force because it was the first time they had dropped cargo utilizing the JPADS from an MV-22 Osprey. Lance Cpl. Mark Fike, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, reports.

U.S. Marine Corps air delivery specialists prepare to board an MV-22 Osprey for an air delivery exercise June 6, 2019, on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. Air delivery specialists with Air Delivery Platoon, Landing Support Company, 3rd Transportation Support Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 3, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, employed the Joint Precision Airdrop System to enhance mission readiness by providing hands-on rehearsals. The JPADS is an autonomous system designed to provide accurate delivery of cargo and supplies to ground component forces. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mark Fike)

U.S. Marines with Air Delivery Platoon, Landing Support Company, 3rd Transportation Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 3, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, conducted air delivery operations with JPADS on Ie Shima, Okinawa, Japan June 6, 2019.  “Today we are conducting air delivery training using the Joint Precision Air Drop System,” said Lt. Col. Matthew Mulvey, the battalion commander of 3rd TSB. “What’s unique about our training today is that we coupled with the MV-22 Osprey. We are using the speed and distance of the Osprey with the precision airdrop capability of the JPADS to really offer the warfighter sustainment.”

The JPADS is an airdrop system that uses prepared geographic coordinates programmed into a computer system to guide the parachute to the ground within 100 meters of the drop zone. “The JPADS use a GPS to basically do what a free fall parachutist would do,” said Mulvey, a Cherryville, North Carolina native. “It understands the altitude and wind speed and it drives the parachute like a free fall parachutist would, the only difference is that it’s delivering cargo to Marines on the deck.” The JPADS allow 3rd TSB to drop cargo away from the enemy threats and guide it to the Marines on the ground not only making it more accurate but also allowing Marines to more quickly recover the cargo.

Mulvey said the training was a big step forward for III Marine Expeditionary Force because it was Ie Ie Shima, Okinawa, Japan -- As the wind swept through the tall green grass in an open field on the Ie Shima coastline, a group of Marines stood in anticipation as they watched a bundle soar across the bright sky. Guided by the Joint Precision Air Drop System, the package piloted itself onto the drop zone.

Mulvey said the training was a big step forward for III Marine Expeditionary Force because it was the first time they had dropped cargo utilizing the JPADS from an MV-22 Osprey. “This mission is not possible without the help of the entire Marine Air-Ground Task Force with the professional pilots and the crew of the Air Combat Element,” said Mulvey. “I’m very happy from the performance of the air delivery specialists of LS Co., the roughriders are great, I’d jump with them any day.” the first time they had dropped cargo utilizing the JPADS from an MV-22 Osprey. “This mission is not possible without the help of the entire Marine Air-Ground Task Force with the professional pilots and the crew of the Air Combat Element,” said Mulvey. “I’m very happy from the performance of the air delivery specialists of LS Co., the roughriders are great, I’d jump with them any day.”