Drop zone (DZ) coordinator on ground communicating on hand held radio with approaching C-130 readying for cargo or airborne troops air drop. If appropriate for situation smoke canisters are used to help locate target area and gauge direction and variability of winds near the ground. In addition balloons were sometimes launched to gauge wind direction and speed at altitude.

C-130 Revetments TanSonHnut Under Storm Clouds

C-130E parked in revetment at Tan Son Nhut Air Base in Saigon 1972. The usual afternoon thunderheads are building with short but sometimes intense thunder, lightening, and downpours to come.