2020’s Top Ten Stories: Airborne soldiers make history

In at number 9 is UK and US paratroopers on Exercise Pegasus Eagle. As we countdown to 2021, we are taking a look at some of our most-read stories from the last year.

Each day in the run-up to New Year’s Day we will be reposting our most-read stories by you from 2020.

In at number 10 was: 2020’s Top Ten Stories: Inside Strategic Command

In pictures: Airborne soldiers make history

Exercise Pegasus Eagle saw a C-130J Hercules from the US Air Force fly into RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire for a week of joint training.

The exercise was all about developing the ability of British and American airborne forces. They are trained so they are ready to deploy on operations together and this training helped to mix and share resources.

US jumpmasters and RAF Parachute Jump Instructors agreed on common procedures. The soldiers from 16 Air Assault Brigade earned their US parachute wings by jumping under US canopies from US aircraft. In return, the US soldiers have earned British parachute wings jumping from RAF aircraft.

But this is the first time that the nationality of parachutes and aircraft have been mixed

Take a look at this historic moment in pictures📸

A British paratrooper stands ready to leave the American C-130J Hercules aircraft through the side door at the rear of the plane

A British Paratrooper exits a C-130J Hercules from USAF’s 37th Airlift Squadron.

A British Paratrooper exits a C-130J Hercules from USAF’s 37th Airlift Squadron.

A British Paratrooper packs his parachute away on Fox Culvert Drop Zone (DZ) on Salisbury Plain.

As one Paratrooper walks off the drop zone another lands.

A British Paratrooper walks across Fox Culvert Drop Zone (DZ) on Salisbury Plain.

The long walk off the drop zone to regroup with the rest of the soldiers.

All smiles after a successful jump onto the drop zone.

Find out where else the UK Armed Forces are deployed here 👇