Tuesday was reserved for briefings and some pracitce jumps for the SAR crews, it would also be my first flight in a Hercules.
Canadian CC-130's are
in high demand and SAREX was able to acquire one for the exercise. 
The "Herc"
and crew for this flight was from 17 Wing, CFB Winnipeg. The flight was delayed
due to cloud and high winds and there was a chance of the flight being cancelled due to the
poor weather. The winds started to settle (20 knots!) so myself and the rest
of the media were given a safety brief from "Gabe" - MasterSgt. Gabriel S. Tuba, the
Load Master of the Herc. We would be carrying a dozen SARTechs on the first flight. The
flight to the Drop Zone (DZ) was very close by located at Goose Spit, around a 5 minute flight.
The drop would be from 3000 ft and some of the SARTechs were not too ambitious to be
dropping into a 20-25 knot wind. Although these winds were still within there
safety training limits you had to feel for these guys. When it came close to the first group of
SARTechs (also known as a "stick") you could see the team work and focus in each person. As they
now had there "game face" on, it was time to check over each others parachutes and
safety gear and with the final once over and a quick hand shake and or high five, it was drop time.
The same routine of professionalism and confidence was displayed by each SARTech. Gabe is very much
part of the team and was also in on the hand shakes and high fives to the SARTechs before
there jumps. During the flight I was able to climb up into the cockpit and take a closer look at the pilots
and Flight Engineer (FE) manoeuver the plane in line with the DZ. I was given a great seat right behind the
pilots and was able to see right over there shoulders. The view outside the
Herc was terrific and was an amazing photo opportuntiy.
