20-25. The duties of the DZSO are as follows:Coordinating with the U.S. Air Force STS.Ensure the appropriate personnel and equipment are in place to support the Airborne operation.Ensure the drop zone is fully operational one hour before drop time.Ensure the drop zone is opened through range control.Ensure the DZ is closed when accountability of personnel, air items, and equipment is completed.Before the drop, conduct ground or aerial reconnaissance of the DZ for obstacles or safety hazards.Collocate with U.S. Air Force STS and take initial wind readings one hour before the scheduled drop time.Establish communications with the DACO no later than (NLT) one hour before drop time.Conduct continuous surface wind readings NLT 12 minutes before the scheduled drop.Give the CLEAR TO DROP or NO DROP to the STS (if present to relay to aircraft) two minutes before the scheduled drop. Monitor surface winds from the jumpers’ “point of impact” and at the highest point of elevation on the drop zone. A NO DROP situation exists when surface winds exceed the maximum allowable limits (13 knots) within 10 minutes of the actual drop.Control all ground and air medical evacuations. Priority for airspace MUST be given to medical evacuations. This is particularly important when rescue or medical aircraft are involved, since they may be delayed if follow-on Airborne operations continue.Ensure that any water obstacle is covered by a boat detail. A boat detail is required if the water obstacle is more than four-feet deep and 40-feet wide, and is within 1000 meters from any portion of the surveyed DZ.Submit post-mission reports (for example, DD Form 1748-2, Airdrop Malfunction Report (Personnel-Cargo); or AF IMT Form 4304, Drop Zone/Landing Zone Control Log) to the appropriate agency.Notify the Airborne commander or DACO immediately upon notification of a parachute malfunction from the malfunction officer. The DACO will immediately notify the ALCE of a parachute malfunction.CAUTIONBoth the DZSO and the STS have the authority and responsibility to declare a no drop if they believe an unsafe condition exists. A no drop decision by either one will be acted upon by the other without fail. It cannot be overruled.Note. The CLEAR TO DROP or NO DROP that is relayed at two minutes does not indicate the final wind reading. If surface winds increase beyond authorized limits, a NO DROP can be relayed at any time during the drop. If readings exceed the limits, the DZSO must reestablish a 10-minute window.