Spring is in the air —spring is everywhere!

The Airborne Special Operations Test Directorate’s daily missions are literally conducted in the air.  ASOTD conducts personnel airdrop static line tests, military freefall tests and low velocity airdrop tests of items and systems for today’s Soldier.  On April 30, there were no airborne missions.  All the events were conducted in the Spring air and on the ground.

A few days before the anticipated spring celebration, you could feel the excitement of a get-together.  Spirits were dampened initially on Friday morning when people heard the news that Maj. (Retired) Roger Pickett had passed away.  Pickett was an ABNSOTD test officer who retired in 2005 with nearly 40 years of federal service.

Setup for the spring celebration started around 9 a.m. and although the real planning started a few days earlier, everyone was willing to help out.  On this picture perfect day, the temperature was in the 80s and a fresh breeze was blowing the aromatic smell of food flaming on the charcoal grill.  What better way to bring people together than food?

But, there was fun too. It had been promised to be a different kind of event.

“We have been staying pretty busy these last few months and we deserve a break from the norm of everyday work,” said Sgt. Maj. Eric Wood, Abn. SOTD.

Some great Americans came up with the idea to bring back something that worked well in this organization — a blast from the past so to speak.  So here it was, the opportunity to display your gaming skills, kick back, relax, unwind, socialize a bit and test your cup-caking skills.  This event promised to be a change from the norm.

Nearly 100 men and women, including military, civilians, contractors, and ABNSOTD Family members gathered on the lawn next to the ABNSOTD headquarters building willing and ready to participate in the leisure activities planned for the Spring Fling.