Opportunity to observe paratroopers back from Iraq jump from C-130 aircraft over New Jersey drop zone Sat August 4 Published Feb. 19, 2009 By 020707 NEW CASTLE, Delaware -- Delaware Air National Guard Headquarters, 166th Airlift Wing 2600 Spruance Drive New Castle, DE 19720-1615 News Media Advisory July 25, 2007 Media have option of observing airdrop from the ground and then observe a "Welcome Home Warriors" ceremony Media invited to be passengers on a Delaware Air National Guard C-130 transport aircraft flight departing New Castle, Delaware on Saturday, Aug. 4, 2007. Aircraft will land at McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey to pick up about 50 Army Reserve paratroopers from the 404th Civil Affairs Battalion stationed at Ft. Dix, N.J., virtually all of whom have served in Iraq since 2003, and a number who recently returned from Iraq. Aircraft will take off from McGuire AFB and fly a short distance to the Coyle Field drop zone, Chatsworth, N.J., in the Pine Barrens, where the soldiers will jump. Video and still photographers and reporters are welcome. Opportunities will also be available to interview aircraft aircrew, and to also briefly interview jumpers on the ground at McGuire AFB before loading on the aircraft, and for portions of the flight. The Army Reserve unit's two-star commanding general, Maj. Gen. Morris, plans to attend, jump and present welcome home awards to those recently back from Iraq - including some of that day's jumpers and an additional large number who will be present on the ground -- and present a unit citation. Unit members come from hometowns throughout the Delaware Valley (N.J., N.Y., Conn., Va., Pa., Md. and Del.). Please indicate ASAP after July 25 if your organization is interested in sending a representative, even if you do not know name(s) at this time. Needed by Thursday Aug. 2: full name, job title, SSN, news media office phone and personal emergency contact phone number for each individual media passenger. Confirm same by phone call to Sgt Matwey at cell phone 302-593-2126. CURRENT ITINERARY for Saturday Aug. 4, 2007 C-130 flight: 7:00 a.m. -- Passengers arrive at New Castle Airport (2600 Spruance Drive, New Castle, DE 19720) for safety briefing; out-process and board aircraft 9:00 a.m. -- Takeoff from New Castle Airport 9:30 a.m. -- Land at McGuire AFB, NJ to pick up Army paratroopers 10:30 a.m. -- Takeoff from McGuire AFB 10:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. -- Perform paratrooper airdrop over Coyle Field, NJ NOON -- Land at McGuire AFB to drop off Army safety personnel 12:30 p.m. -- Takeoff from McGuire AFB 1:00 p.m. -- Land back at New Castle Airport, DE 2:00 p.m. -- Mission complete GROUND COVERAGE OPTION: For media who wish to travel by personal vehicle directly to the Coyle Field drop zone to cover the airdrop from the ground (and award ceremony), you need to arrive at Coyle Field by about 10:00 a.m. The ceremony starts sometime from 11:00 a.m. to NOON, after all jumpers land. Family members of jumpers will be present. News media must supply names no later than August 3 for this. Confirm attendance to Sgt. Matwey by cell 302-593-2126. (No SSN or emergency info needed). Media will be advised of any schedule changes caused by weather or otherwise. Please contact me if you have any questions. Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Matwey Public Affairs Specialist Delaware Air National Guard 166th Airlift Wing 2600 Spruance Drive New Castle, DE 19720 Mobile 302-593-2126 Office 302-323-3369 -- 30 --