Rangers Rendezvous 2007 Hooah!!! Published Aug. 17, 2007 By Senior Airman Stephanie Jacobs Public Affairs Hurlburt Field, FL -- A thunder storm is rolling in, the C-130 is rocking back and forth, it's 110 degrees and the aircraft is full of Army rangers. They have 100 pounds of gear strapped to their bodies, sweat dripping from their anxious faces. The load master yells out "ten minutes" and all the men get up and form a line preparing to jump. They sway back and forth as the C-130 trudges through the darkening sky. The load master yells out "three minutes" and the doors are opened. The green light is given and one by one, the Rangers jump out of the aircraft into the cool crisp air, Ranger Rendezvous has begun. Fort Benning Ga., more than 1,000 Rangers from the 75th Ranger Regiment conduct a mass tactical airborne operation to Kick-off the Ranger Rendezvous. The 75th Ranger Regiment conducts an airborne operation onto the Fryar Drop Zone and the Rangers were in full combat gear. This is a unique opportunity to observe such a massive airborne operation and for the Air Force to play a role. The 9th Special Operations Squadron participated by flying two teams in the rendezvous. The Soldiers did their jump from the side of the MC-130P Combat Shadow. The Combat Shadow is an aerial refueler, but this day, it played host to the Rangers who would take part in this historic, annual jump. "Events like the Ranger Rendezvous, where we get the opportunity to work closely with our sister squadrons and services, are invaluable," said Lt. Col. Darren Vigen, 9th SOS commander. "This event in particular also builds camaraderie across the board." The rendezvous is a tradition to bring the entire regiment together for the regimental change of command that occurs every other year, starting with the first ceremony in 1987. The days leading up to the ceremony are filled with Ranger demonstrations and events. There are two days that give the public an opportunity to observe the Rangers in action. Aug. 6, they performed the mass airborne operation with more than 1,000 Rangers jumping. Aug. 7, the Rangers hosted an open house where static display exhibits highlighted current Ranger gear, equipment and technology. It continued with a day-long sporting competition including tug-of-war, football, combatives and basketball. The week closed Aug. 9 with the formal change of command ceremony for the incoming and outgoing commander of the 75th Ranger Regiment. Col. Paul LaCamera relinquished command to Col. Richard Clarke.