A reader and friend shared this POV video of one of his recent jumps. I have to say that it’s one of the things I miss most about the military, water jumps especially.
Which of course leads me to share something from yet another friend, Mayflower Research & Consulting
The US Army’s XVIII Airborne Corps is once again jumping the T-11 advanced tactical parachute system after a parachute related fatality in June of last year caused a suspension of use. As you can see, The T-11 is cruciform in shape, as opposed to a circle like the T-10. This means a larger surface area and diameter and a greater weight limit (400 lbs). This new canopy also results in a slower rate of descent to 19 feet per second vice the 22 feet of the T-10. Combine these features and you get a lower risk of jump-related injuries.
To signal its return to operational use, on March 22nd, Corps leadership, including commander LTG Frank Helmick conducted an airborne operation on Fort Bragg’s Normandy Drop Zone. Prior to the jump, all jumpers received New Equipment Training on the chute.
“It is important for the leadership to jump this parachute first,” said LTG Helmick. “We know that this is a safe parachute. Most of us have jumped this parachute before. As leaders, we are supposed to lead the way, and as such, we have been training to ensure that we transition our parachuting capabilities in a very deliberate manner.”
While conventional forces at Bragg had stopped using the T-11, the US Army Airborne school at Fort Benning had continued to train students in its use.
“The T-11 parachute is the first revolutionary change in tactical parachutes in more than 51 years,” said LTC John Ring, director of operations, XVIII Abn Corps. “It’s the first static line parachute where you actually experience freefall for a period of time. [With] every other static line parachute that we jump, you are tied to the airplane all the way until the parachute is completely deployed.”
Not only did the jumpers receive additional training but so did Jumpmasters and Riggers. For example, Rigger training lasted up to eight days.
“There has been a lot of preparation for this jump,” said CW4 Kelvin Thompson, senior airdrop systems technician, 82nd Sustainment Brigade, XVIII Abn Corps. “Riggers have been training and packing this system since February.” LTG Helmick commented, “There is no room for error in the parachute rigger community and I am confident that each of them live by their motto: ‘I will be sure always.'”
WT Tactical has been authorized by the Army’s Free Fall School for use in Military Free Fall operations. To help spread the word, WT Tactical garments will be displayed at the school house in Yuma for examination by all attendees of the Army’s Free Fall and ATIC courses. For more information please contact Vic Ramos, victor@wildthingsgear.com, WT Tactical Director Military Sales.
PECI Flotation LLC has introduced new armor compatible form factors of their highly popular Tactical Floatation Support System. Available with Overt (yellow) or Covert (black) bladders, TFSS provides 45 pounds of positive floatation in seawater at 33 feet, 57 pounds at 15 feet and 80 pounds on the surface. Additionally, TFSS has a safety confirmation for both staticline and MFF parachute operations from the US Army Developmental Test Command.
TFSS has been integrated into several armor designs including those by FirstSpear. In fact, FirstSpear is an early adopter. They immediately saw the lifesaving potential and went right to work on adapting their systems to accommodate TFSS. TFSS is not only a great way to provide emergency buoyancy it’s also low weight and volume compared to alternatives. FirstSpear’s integration is seamless and you won’t even know it’s there.
As you can see, Renegade Armor is offering TFSS as a stand alone system or integrated into any one of a variety of armor carriers.
In this US Army video, SSG Travis Surber, a paratrooper with the 173rd Brigade Combat Team’s Battle Company of the 2nd Battalion 503rd Infantry Regiment parachutes out of a C-130 Hercules Transport Aircraft and into the Ukraine sky. In case you’re interested, they’re hiring.
Previously we wrote about the Core Survival HEL-STAR 5 which you can see in the photo above. It was designed specifically to work with the Gentex PM HALO helmet. It’s been used by a wide variety of military units. One of those DoD customers asked Core Survival to develop a new model that would increase lateral visibility. The result is the HEL-STAR 6.
For Core Survival HEL-STAR 6 is a natural progression of the HEL-STAR family, starting with HEL-STAR 4 and later evolving to the HEL-STAR 5. All three product lines were designed and built around user input, addressing user requirements.
It offers any combination of white, green, blue, red, and IR lights (either flashing or steady). Additionally, they offer variable flash rates and coded signals for IFF.
It can be turned on, while mounted and while wearing gloves. According to Core Survival the light also features, “Positive visual and tactile confirmation of ON/OFF and operating status with no guesswork.” Additionally, it is powered by a CR123 battery and Made in USA!
There are four models with different functions based on various user profiles.
HEL-STAR 6 Models
610 – Two Function
620 – Four Functions (Two Secure Firewalled, Two Overt Firewalled)
630 – Three Functions with secure lock out mode
640 – Four Functions (All for available with switches)
The button at the top of the light is either a nose plug or switch, depending on the model. It is used to change operating modes (e.g., overt/covert). The units are preprogrammed at the plant.
www.coresurvival.com/hel-star-6
The High Speed Low Drag Tshirt which celebrates Military Free Fall is part of the Bombshell Series of apparel which licensed to 7.62 Design.
Dive Girl is a pinup for the combat diver. These woven patches are offered in conjunction with Mil-Spec Monkey.
POV of a Leapfrog jump into the world premier of ‘Act of Valor’ hitting theaters, Friday 24 February.
Anyone notice the V-lite?
