A German jumpmaster inspects the static line of an

A German jumpmaster inspects the static line of an American paratrooper assigned to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, during sustained airborne training at Green Ramp on Pope Air Force Base, May 9. This is part of Operation Federal Eagle, an annual event in which German paratroopers and paratroopers from Fort Bragg cross-train on an airborne operation. The paratroopers exited from a C-160 Transall, a German aircraft, to land on Sicily Drop Zone. It is one way that the 2nd BCT and the 82nd ABN DIV work with other military forces to ensure a more efficient partnership with coalition forces when deployed. After the paratroopers landed on the drop zone, a ceremony was held by German jumpmasters to award German jump wings. For many paratroopers in the 2nd BCT this was their first time working with German forces.