Operation Toy Drop

Featured photo

Paratroopers decend upon Sicily Drop zone on the morning of December 7th, 2006 (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Felix R. Fimbres)

"Toy Drop was my first real experience with CAPOC, having joined the unit just two months before, and this was my first real mission after my first Army school. In retrospect there was a lot more I could have taken photos of, and there are still now many more which we still haven’t taken, the airborne operation being but a small fraction of Toy Drop. But whenever I go back and look at them, this one always stands out to me and it really marks the beginning of my Army career in CAPOC, and I feel so lucky to have been able to be a part of such a special event for so many years.

Out on the drop zone on what was really a perfect day, with temperatures in the 60’s, beautiful light, a gentle breeze. I had no idea what I was doing or what to expect. Staff Sgt. Tina Beller gave me an ACH and had said, “Just go out and take some photos.” So I did.

Back then I would just pick a spot, and wait. I had no idea what was going on in the aircraft, what the paratroopers where doing, why they would get so close. I figured it was like on TV and they could go where they wanted. Of course, as any paratrooper will tell you, it’s nothing at all like TV, but hey; at the time, I was “just” a specialist after all.

I personally like the shot, it’s not the greatest, certainly could have been better, but for that year, this one is my favorite.”  – Staff Sgt. Felix R. Fimbres