August 16th commemorates the first official US military parachute jump in 1940. In 2001, it was officially recognized by proclamation of President George W Bush.
Those early paratroopers were crucial to our victory in WWII. One of our readers shared this video with us. “Project Vigil: D-Day 2014, The saluting boy on Omaha beach”, take a moment to watch it and know that not everyone has forgotten about the contributions and sacrifices of our Greatest Generation.
Thanks Doc Haight for the video!
As a retired USAF Paratrooper, I am always proud to see my fellow jumpers in blue do well. Love those OCP uniforms. Let’s see the rest of the Air Force swap over as well. Congratulations!
According to the TACP Association, members of the 18th ASOG, 18th WX squadron (and one TACP) placed 3rd (out of 55 American and international teams) at last weekend’s annual International jump competition in Rhode Island. They made four total jumps with static line chutes and were graded on accuracy and time.
They missed second place by 4 seconds, and first place by 9 seconds.
(Pictured: MSgt Misiak, TSgt Allen, SSgt Romero-Napolitano, MSgt Williams. Photo from TACP Association)
Guardian Angel (GA) is a US Air Force, non-aircraft, equipment-based weapon system. GA is organized into nine specific capabilities: Prepare, Mission Plan, Insert, Movement, Actions on Objective, Medically Treat, Extract, Reintegrate, and Adapt.
These nine capabilities are supported by a family of nine acquisition systems: precision aerial insertion, information management, force application/personal protection, visual augmentation, maritime, ground mobility, technical rescue, medical, and Survival EvasionResistance and Escape (SERE). The sum of these capabilities and acquisitions support the PR execution tasks of report, locate, support, recover, and reintegrate.
This equipment-based weapons system is employed by Combat Rescue Officers, Pararescuemen, and SERE Specialists and enabled by uniquely trained combat support personnel.
Recently, a GAWS team deployed to Iceland. This is their experience.
I am a big fan of the ‘Do You Even Airborne, Bro?’ Facebook Page. They’ve just introduced their first morale items which are three cool stickers. They’re so cool, even legs will love them. Even better, 10% of the proceeds from the stickers are going to benefit Stop Soldier Suicide, a national civilian not-for-profit organization dedicated to preventing active and Veteran suicide.
Currently, there are three different stickers available: ‘Sky Shark’, ‘Paratroopers Don’t Die, They Just Slip Away’ and their classic logo.
Get yours at www.etsy.com/shop/DoYouEvenAirborneBro
The CIRLS Kit is available in 5 and 10 piece versions and offers visible and IR (steady or strobe) lighting to mark LZ, HLZ and DZs.
Powered by your choice of CR123 or AA batteries! In steady on mode you’re looking at 40 hours and the strobe mode, expect a light to run for about 200 hours.
The kit also come with tent stakes to hold the lights down.
One other cool feature is that there is a photo electric eye in the light that detects the ambient light level and automatically adjusts the light’s output.
The new U94 MFF PTT Kit features several improvements.
They’ve recessed the auxiliary input port connection for a strong seal and improved strain relief to hold up to the strain of parachute deployment.
TEA has also improved the ergonomics of the remote PTT to provide a more contoured fit around the user’s hand.
I saw this yesterday and I’m still laughing.
Although there are a few missing, the History of Operational Parachute Jumps hosted by the Special Forces Association is a great read. Its international scope goes back to 1939 and is updated with many of the most recent jumps. The list not only categorizes the date, location and type of airborne operation but also mentions the forces involved.
