Airdrop over Afghanistan

U.S. Marines watch local Afghans from their vehicle while securing the Forward Operating Base Edinburgh's drop zone after food was dropped 30 minutes earlier on Oct 3, 2011. Marines have to keep the DZ clear of local Afghans who often gather around the DZ looking for material left behind. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Master Sgt. Jeffrey Allen)

Airdrop over Afghanistan

U.S. Marine Corporal Alexandra Melnick, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines of the 5th Marine Regiment, sets a parachute used during an aerial delivery of food rations on to a fire on Oct 3, 2011. The parachutes and other packing material are collected and burned on site to reduce the debris left on the drop zone. Aerial delivery of food and water allows Marines to get some critical supplies without having to rely on risky ground convoys. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Master Sgt. Jeffrey Allen)

Airdrop over Afghanistan

U.S. Marines deployed to Forward Operating Base Edinburgh roll over a bundle of food rations that was recently airdropped by A U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules on Oct 3, 2011. The supplies are loaded on trucks for transport back to the FOB and the parachutes and other packing material are collected and burned on site to reduce the debris left on the drop zone. Aerial delivery of food and water allows Marines to get some critical supplies without having to rely on risky ground convoys. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Master Sgt. Jeffrey Allen)

Airdrop over Afghanistan

A U.S. Marine helps collect bundles of food rations that were airdropped to Forward Operating Base Edinburgh, the logistics hub for Northern Helmand Province, on Oct. 3, 2011. The parachutes and other packing material are collected and burned on site to reduce the debris left on the drop zone. Aerial delivery of food and water allows Marines to get some critical supplies without having to rely on risky ground convoys. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Master Sgt. Jeffrey Allen)

LZ safety officer training

A U.S. Air Force C-130J Hercules from the 19th Airlift Wing, Little Rock AFB, AR lands at a remote airfield in Qalat, Afghanistan. The crew of the C-130 is delivering cargo and troops in support of Army operations at Forward Operating Base Apache. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Master Sgt. Jeffrey Allen)

LZ safety officer training

U.S. Air Force Maj. Jason Helton, air mobility liaison officer, walks up the ramp of a C-130J Hercules from the 19th Airlift Wing, Little Rock AFB, AR at a remote airfield in Qalat, Afghanistan. Helton is going to get feedback from pilots that he'll use to debrief landing zone safety officer class students that collected and relayed critical information to the approaching aircrew. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Master Sgt. Jeffrey Allen)