Hundreds of paratroopers will line up Friday for the chance to earn their foreign jump wings while helping children in the community.
The Randy Oler Memorial Operation Toy Drop at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, is an annual tradition where soldiers can participate in an airborne operation with foreign jumpmasters.
On Lottery Day on Friday, soldiers can go to Green Ramp at Pope Air Field from 7 to 11 a.m. to receive a lottery ticket. Troops with winning tickets will receive a spot in the airborne operation the following day at the Luzon Drop Zone on Fort Bragg.
Army Sgt. 1st Class Sunnydale Hyde, a paratrooper with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, United States Army Special Operations Command, holds a Mickey Mouse stuffed animal that he parachuted with before donating to a child in need as part of the 18th annual Randy Oler Memorial Operation Toy Drop at Fort Bragg, N.C., on Dec. 7, 2015.
Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Timothy Koster/Army
Soldiers are encouraged to donate an unwrapped toy at Lottery Day, but they are not required to do so. Last year, soldiers donated more than 6,000 toys for children in the Fayetteville area, according to an Army press release.
This year, at least eight nations will send jumpmasters to participate in the world's largest annual joint and combined airborne operation, according to the release.
The participating countries are Botswana, Canada, Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, and Singapore.
Soldiers work collectively with eight participating countries in preparation for the annual Operation Toy Drop XIX, on Dec. 5.
Photo Credit: Tynisha L. Daniel/Army
The Operation Toy Drop tradition was established in 1998 by then-Staff Sgt. Randy Oler, a U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command soldier. Operation Toy Drop began as a training event, with more than 1,200 soldiers participating and donating 550 toys. In 2004, Oler suffered a heart attack and died while performing jumpmaster duties, but support from the Army and community allowed the event to continue.
Charlsy Panzino covers the Guard and Reserve, training, technology, operations and features for Army Times and Air Force Times. Email her at cpanzino@militarytimes.com.
Charlsy is a Reporter and Engagement Manager for Military Times. Email her at cpanzino@militarytimes.com.
