GRADUATION DAY: May 1, 2009 Weather Report: mid-80’s, humidity is 95%, wind is calm
I cannot believe this day is finally here. I have successfully completed the US Military Airborne Course. Formation is at 0600hrs this morning and graduation is at 0900hrs on Eubanks Field on the Airborne Walk.
Graduation practice: was not very formal, but it was a practice. We finished there and went over to the bleachers and had some information on the Panama Invasion (Operation Just Cause). It was informal however a lot of information was put out. Each class has an Airborne Operation to research. This is conducted by the new 2LT’s in the company. It is part of the Airborne Heritage that we are all now part of.
Graduation went off successfully! The guest speaker was a LTC that has five sons and a daughter. All of the sons are in the military service; a CPT, a 1LT, a 2LT, a SGT, and the youngest is a PVT. All of them are Airborne Qualified and were there to pin the wings on the youngest son making all of the sons AIRBORNE. The LTC said that if he could get his daughter to take time out of being a wife and mother he could have all his children parachute qualified, it was pretty funny. Open ranks, MARCH. Present the wings. 1LT Corley found me a pinned my wings. It was nice to have a South Carolina Army National Guard Soldier pin my wings. Especially one that I helped along the way to get him promoted and was able to mentor in the Fountain Inn Unit. We finished up and ran in formation back to the company area. They started giving out our finished packets. Just as it all happened during registration process, people showing up and moving out, it happened at the final formation. Grab your documents and move out. Some of us traded phone numbers and plan on staying in touch. You develop a special bond with people when you jump out of an airplane together. Some of the guys are headed back to their units and will deploy within the next few months to Iraq or Afghanistan, they as all of the other soldiers will remain in our hearts and minds until they all return home safely.
Faith has brought on a new meaning for me from this course. Just as we put our faith in Jesus, we know he is there but cannot see him. We put our faith as paratroopers in the people that pack the parachutes, instruct the classes, inspect our equipment and take a leap out of the aircraft moving at 130 knots and 1250’ above the earth. We expect all our equipment to operate and function properly. That leap of faith is the same when trusting in Jesus. He has giving us a book of instruction, he inspects our hearts and minds daily, and he keeps moving us in and out of situations to reinforce our devotion to him. I thank GOD that we have been given the opportunity to serve him in all things and praise him for keeping us all moving in the right direction. He has kept everyone in my stick safe and has returned us all home to our loved ones. AIRBORNE all the way!
I am now part of an elite group of military personal known as the Paratrooper! Their display of courage and commitment is that of legends. From the four major airborne operations that started in WWII to the hundreds of airborne operations that have followed paratroopers have a different stagger about them, a different level of courage. They have looked fear in the face and over come it, they have exited an aircraft in flight and parachuted down to earth safely and walked away. I am proud to say that I am now AIRBORNE!
This is my last post. Feel free to forward this link to any of your friends or people you know that will be attending AIRBORNE SCHOOL. This will help.
GOD BLESS!
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Friday, May 1, 2009
PREP FOR AIRBORNE SCHOOL
PREP FOR AIRBORNE SCHOOL!
Throughout the fast-moving course of instruction, mental alertness and physical conditioning are emphasized. Physical conditioning is a must prior to attending this course. Airborne School is designed for those who possess the desire, motivation and courage to join the elite fraternity known as "THE AIRBORNE."
WARNING: WHEN CONDUCTING PHYSICAL TRAINING PRIOR TO THE AIRBORNE COURSE AT YOUR HOME STATION, DESIGN A PROGRAM TO ACHIEVE THE FOLLOWING: COMPLETION OF A 5 MILE RUN WITH A TIME OF 45 MINUTES OR FASTER AFTER CONDUCTING 30 MINUTES OF STRENUOUS ACTIVITY (MUSCULAR STRENGTH EXERCISES, MUSCULAR ENDURANCE EXERCISES, CALISTHENICS, AND GRASS DRILLS).
You must be physically fit before you start. The physically weak are more likely to either not complete the course because of an injury, or fail the course due to an inability to qualify on the training apparatuses. You will have PT the first period each day, followed by seven hours of demanding, vigorous training. You must qualify during daily PT by completing the exercises and distance run. Any student who fails to complete two runs during the entire course will be eliminated from training. A typical daily PT session includes warm up exercises, calisthenics, guerilla/grass drills or a 3.2 to 4 mile formation run. Males and females run in the same formation during PT and the average pace is 9-minutes per mile.
Do yourself a favor and run three times a week in ACU’s, ACH, and boots. We run everywhere here in the duty uniform. It will beat your legs up if you are not ready for the lower body abuse. Stay mentally focused here, and remember why you are here and you will be fine!
AIRBORNE!
Throughout the fast-moving course of instruction, mental alertness and physical conditioning are emphasized. Physical conditioning is a must prior to attending this course. Airborne School is designed for those who possess the desire, motivation and courage to join the elite fraternity known as "THE AIRBORNE."
WARNING: WHEN CONDUCTING PHYSICAL TRAINING PRIOR TO THE AIRBORNE COURSE AT YOUR HOME STATION, DESIGN A PROGRAM TO ACHIEVE THE FOLLOWING: COMPLETION OF A 5 MILE RUN WITH A TIME OF 45 MINUTES OR FASTER AFTER CONDUCTING 30 MINUTES OF STRENUOUS ACTIVITY (MUSCULAR STRENGTH EXERCISES, MUSCULAR ENDURANCE EXERCISES, CALISTHENICS, AND GRASS DRILLS).
You must be physically fit before you start. The physically weak are more likely to either not complete the course because of an injury, or fail the course due to an inability to qualify on the training apparatuses. You will have PT the first period each day, followed by seven hours of demanding, vigorous training. You must qualify during daily PT by completing the exercises and distance run. Any student who fails to complete two runs during the entire course will be eliminated from training. A typical daily PT session includes warm up exercises, calisthenics, guerilla/grass drills or a 3.2 to 4 mile formation run. Males and females run in the same formation during PT and the average pace is 9-minutes per mile.
Do yourself a favor and run three times a week in ACU’s, ACH, and boots. We run everywhere here in the duty uniform. It will beat your legs up if you are not ready for the lower body abuse. Stay mentally focused here, and remember why you are here and you will be fine!
AIRBORNE!
Day: April 30, 2009
DAY: April 30, 2009 Weather report: mid-80’s, 32% humidity wind light and variable 10 SE
Wake up and formation came way too soon. 0800hrs after one and a half hours of sleep is not good. I was tired and irritated. Formation was held and they started telling us what we needed to do to clear out of Airborne School. We started with breakfast; they brought us a hot meal to the company area. I had two sausage patties, eggs, potatoes, a waffle, milk, and a cup of coffee. Then we started to move.
Canteens and helmets were the first thing to be turned in. I was in line and they called for all Reservist and National Guard personal. We had an out processing brief. She told us that we needed to ensure that there were four documents in our folder tomorrow when we received our packet to leave; hazardous duty orders, course completion certificate, jump log, and orders awarding us the were of the US Army Parachutist Wings. We reviewed our packets today to ensure everything was correct and in our packets. Then we started the sign out process. This is done so orders can be created for people going to new units or to their first unit in the military. Dismissal was at 1100hrs today. I went straight to Chick-fil-A and got a number five, twelve count with lemonade. That is the first Chick-fil-A I have had since I have been here and it was wonderful. After that I came back to my room and began to pack up all my gear to go home tomorrow, took a nap and the phone rang, it was the 1ST Sergeant and all the guys are going to the El Zapata, a Mexican restaurant on Ft Benning. It will be the last time we are all together here just out being friends. We had a good time tonight with the dinner and just talking about the experiences and all the things that really didn’t make sense at the time but make sense now after jumping. Tomorrow is GRADUATION! Formation time will be 0600hrs and we will have our graduation practice and move over to the Airborne Walk to be pinned. 1LT Corley is coming to pin me and then he will be jumping from a CH-47 Helicopter at 1400hrs. He tried to convince me to jump with him, but I told him that I was ready to go home and see my family. Maybe next time!
Wake up and formation came way too soon. 0800hrs after one and a half hours of sleep is not good. I was tired and irritated. Formation was held and they started telling us what we needed to do to clear out of Airborne School. We started with breakfast; they brought us a hot meal to the company area. I had two sausage patties, eggs, potatoes, a waffle, milk, and a cup of coffee. Then we started to move.
Canteens and helmets were the first thing to be turned in. I was in line and they called for all Reservist and National Guard personal. We had an out processing brief. She told us that we needed to ensure that there were four documents in our folder tomorrow when we received our packet to leave; hazardous duty orders, course completion certificate, jump log, and orders awarding us the were of the US Army Parachutist Wings. We reviewed our packets today to ensure everything was correct and in our packets. Then we started the sign out process. This is done so orders can be created for people going to new units or to their first unit in the military. Dismissal was at 1100hrs today. I went straight to Chick-fil-A and got a number five, twelve count with lemonade. That is the first Chick-fil-A I have had since I have been here and it was wonderful. After that I came back to my room and began to pack up all my gear to go home tomorrow, took a nap and the phone rang, it was the 1ST Sergeant and all the guys are going to the El Zapata, a Mexican restaurant on Ft Benning. It will be the last time we are all together here just out being friends. We had a good time tonight with the dinner and just talking about the experiences and all the things that really didn’t make sense at the time but make sense now after jumping. Tomorrow is GRADUATION! Formation time will be 0600hrs and we will have our graduation practice and move over to the Airborne Walk to be pinned. 1LT Corley is coming to pin me and then he will be jumping from a CH-47 Helicopter at 1400hrs. He tried to convince me to jump with him, but I told him that I was ready to go home and see my family. Maybe next time!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Day: April 29, 2009 JUMP DAY #3
Day: April 29, 2009 JUMP DAY #3 “THE FINAL JUMP”
Weather report: mid-80’s today, humidity 42% wind 5 SSE
My day started at 0700hrs. I woke up and slept very hard last night. I was in much need of some rest and recovery time. I failed to do laundry on Sunday and decided to sit outside on the bench and wash my clothes. To my surprise a washing machine was not being used. This made my day start off really well. I started packing my clothes and my gear that I would not need for the rest of my stay here and am getting excited about going home of Friday. This school has gone by very fast, yet the days have been brutal at times and extremely long with the heat.
Formation at 1400hrs and move out to the PIT for refresher training on hazards, PLF’s and mock door exits. It is sad that this is the last time that we will perform these drills. We will have successfully completed the Airborne Course tonight after our fifth and final jump, THE NIGHT FULL COMBAT JUMP. The other jumps have been fun and interesting to this point and the stories of my fellow paratroopers and their experiences have been exaggerated at times but fun to talk about.
Tonight our jump went off without any problems. We started loading the planes at 2030hrs. The sun was beginning to set and the sky line was beautiful. Patchy cloud cover and the oranges, reds, and yellows were very impressive. As we made the turn for the plane you could tell it was going to be a very different experience. We approached the ramp to load and the aircraft had the eerie night operations lights inside had a greenish blue glow about them. This jump we has some of the Best Ranger Challenge personal on our jump. They went first and their jumpmaster handed off his static line and leapt out of the aircraft. The next pass and it was our turn. The jump commands began and we headed for the door. Green light and out we went, I was the number thirteen Jumper in the stick and was at the nose of the plane. Shuffle, shuffle, shuffle, had the static line off to the Jumpmaster Safety and turned kicked my leg up and out and felt the breeze push me past the rear of our bird. Three Thousand and a tug on my shoulders, my last jump and decent had begun. It was neat to see the parachute light up by the moonlight and the stars. I checked my canopy twice because of the low visibility and looked around for fellow jumpers. I did not want any problems during any of my jumps, especially this night one. Prepare to land, I released my combat gear and started my final approach at jump school. The landing was a little tricky because we did not have any smoke on the ground to show us wind drift nor did we have any sergeant airborne’s on the ground telling us what to do. We were completely on our own tonight. I felt my rucksack hit the ground, tensed up my neck muscles, tucked my chin on my chest, raised my arms over my face and the balls of my feet hit the ground. A perfect PLF and I was very happy, but it was not over yet. Speed was of importance to my on this jump because of all the other three hundred paratroopers coming down on top of the drop zone in the next few minutes. I popped up to one knee and began securing my combat gear, loaded up and off the drop zone I went. I was the first jumper off the drop zone tonight. AIRBORNE!
We all landed and had MRE’s; I had beef pot roast this time. Then we had to take all our combat equipment apart and set it up for the next class. Tonight was our night to shake out parachutes. They have been piling up over the past three days. Chalks one thru four shook out 1267 parachutes. The toll was taken on our mental and physical readiness. The bummer was the formation tomorrow will be at 0800hrs. Not long for us to rest or anything else. I got to my room and showered put pizza rolls in the microwave. I crashed for one hour and thirty minutes.
PULL-UPS for the day: 20
Weather report: mid-80’s today, humidity 42% wind 5 SSE
My day started at 0700hrs. I woke up and slept very hard last night. I was in much need of some rest and recovery time. I failed to do laundry on Sunday and decided to sit outside on the bench and wash my clothes. To my surprise a washing machine was not being used. This made my day start off really well. I started packing my clothes and my gear that I would not need for the rest of my stay here and am getting excited about going home of Friday. This school has gone by very fast, yet the days have been brutal at times and extremely long with the heat.
Formation at 1400hrs and move out to the PIT for refresher training on hazards, PLF’s and mock door exits. It is sad that this is the last time that we will perform these drills. We will have successfully completed the Airborne Course tonight after our fifth and final jump, THE NIGHT FULL COMBAT JUMP. The other jumps have been fun and interesting to this point and the stories of my fellow paratroopers and their experiences have been exaggerated at times but fun to talk about.
Tonight our jump went off without any problems. We started loading the planes at 2030hrs. The sun was beginning to set and the sky line was beautiful. Patchy cloud cover and the oranges, reds, and yellows were very impressive. As we made the turn for the plane you could tell it was going to be a very different experience. We approached the ramp to load and the aircraft had the eerie night operations lights inside had a greenish blue glow about them. This jump we has some of the Best Ranger Challenge personal on our jump. They went first and their jumpmaster handed off his static line and leapt out of the aircraft. The next pass and it was our turn. The jump commands began and we headed for the door. Green light and out we went, I was the number thirteen Jumper in the stick and was at the nose of the plane. Shuffle, shuffle, shuffle, had the static line off to the Jumpmaster Safety and turned kicked my leg up and out and felt the breeze push me past the rear of our bird. Three Thousand and a tug on my shoulders, my last jump and decent had begun. It was neat to see the parachute light up by the moonlight and the stars. I checked my canopy twice because of the low visibility and looked around for fellow jumpers. I did not want any problems during any of my jumps, especially this night one. Prepare to land, I released my combat gear and started my final approach at jump school. The landing was a little tricky because we did not have any smoke on the ground to show us wind drift nor did we have any sergeant airborne’s on the ground telling us what to do. We were completely on our own tonight. I felt my rucksack hit the ground, tensed up my neck muscles, tucked my chin on my chest, raised my arms over my face and the balls of my feet hit the ground. A perfect PLF and I was very happy, but it was not over yet. Speed was of importance to my on this jump because of all the other three hundred paratroopers coming down on top of the drop zone in the next few minutes. I popped up to one knee and began securing my combat gear, loaded up and off the drop zone I went. I was the first jumper off the drop zone tonight. AIRBORNE!
We all landed and had MRE’s; I had beef pot roast this time. Then we had to take all our combat equipment apart and set it up for the next class. Tonight was our night to shake out parachutes. They have been piling up over the past three days. Chalks one thru four shook out 1267 parachutes. The toll was taken on our mental and physical readiness. The bummer was the formation tomorrow will be at 0800hrs. Not long for us to rest or anything else. I got to my room and showered put pizza rolls in the microwave. I crashed for one hour and thirty minutes.
PULL-UPS for the day: 20
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
JUMPMASTER Inspection Sequence
For all of you out there that has been wondering what it takes to ensure that we have a safe jump. this is the information that the jumpmaster is tested on prior to being qualified as a jumpmaster.
Hollywood JMPI Sequence
ADVANCED COMBAT HELMET (FRONT):
The jumpmaster will place both hands on the right side of the ACH; fingers and thumbs extended and joined pointing skyward, palms facing the jumper. The left hand is the control hand; the right hand is the working hand. With the working hand trace across the rim of the ACH feeling for any sharp or protruding edges that may cut or damage the jumper’s static line upon exiting the aircraft. Once the hands are parallel place the thumbs on the rim of the ACH, tilt the jumpers head to the rear. Conduct a visual inspection to ensure the three suspension pads are present and the oval pads are covering the bolt ends.
Place the right index finger on the left adjustable buckle to ensure it is free of all cracked components and is serviceable, and the left adjustable strap is properly routed through it and the free running end is secured in the webbing retainer. Now trace the left adjustable strap down to the chinstrap fastener, to ensure it is free of all cracked components and properly secured. Now bypass the chinstrap fastener and trace the long portion chinstrap, under the jumpers chin to where it is sewn into the right adjustable strap to ensure it is not twisted, cut or frayed. Now trace the right adjustable strap up to the right adjustable buckle to ensure it is free of all cracked components and is serviceable, and the free running end is secured in the webbing retainer. With the right index finger trace the short portion chinstrap across the front of the jumper’s chin drop both hands.
CANOPY RELEASE ASSEMBLIES:
Then next item of equipment we will discuss is the canopy release assemblies. These are like items of equipment so either one can be inspected first, however, for this talk through, we will start with the canopy release assembly opposite the Universal Static Line. Since the Universal Static Line is routed over the jumper’s right shoulder, we will begin the inspection with the jumper’s left canopy release assembly. Look at the left canopy release assembly; tap it with the knuckles of the right hand one time to insure that it sounds solid. With the right hand turn the left canopy release assembly one-quarter turn out and re-look at it. Insure that it is properly assembled, has no cracked components and that it is free of all foreign matter. Now look at the right canopy release assembly and with the left hand, conduct the same inspection. If the static line is resting against either canopy release assembly, it must be moved out of the way so that it does not obstruct the jumpmaster’s view of the canopy release assemblies.
CHEST STRAP:
Simultaneously slide both hands down the main lift web until the little fingers make contact with either the D-rings. Look at the chest strap to insure that it has not been misrouted around the main lift web. Insert the right hand, fingers and thumb extended and joined, fingers pointed skyward, palm facing the jumpmaster from bottom to top behind the chest strap next to where it is sewn into the main lift web. Trace the chest strap across until the right hand is behind the ejector snap, insuring that the chest strap is not twisted, cut, or frayed. The ejector snap pad will not come between the right hand and the ejector snap. With the thumb of the right hand, press in on the activating lever of the ejector snap to insure that it is properly seated over the ball detent and is free of all foreign matter. Leave the right hand and thumb in place, and move to the right side of the jumper.
WAIST BAND:
Insert the left hand, fingers and thumb extended and joined fingers pointed skyward, palm facing the jumpmaster, from the bottom to the top behind the waistband next to where it sewn into the packtray. Look at the waistband where it is sewn into the packtray and insure that at least 50% of one row of stitching is present. Trace the waistband forward to insure that it is not twisted, cut, frayed or been misrouted behind the horizontal back strap. Trace the waistband forward until the left hand makes contact with the right D-ring. Look at the waistband to insure that it is routed over the right main lift web and under the right D-ring. Rotate the right hand down and grasp the top-carrying handle of the reserve parachute, palm facing the reserve. Simultaneously lift up and out on the reserve parachute and place the left hand, palm facing the jumper, into the jumper’s chest. Look at the waistband where it is routed behind the reserve parachute to insure that it is routed through both waistband retainers and it is not twisted, cut, or frayed. Withdraw the left hand from the jumper’s chest, reach under the right forearm, and insert the left hand into the left carrying handle of the reserve parachute, palm facing away from the reserve with the fingers spread. With the right hand, release the top carrying handle of the reserve parachute and move to the left side of the jumper. Insert the right hand, fingers and thumb extended and joined, fingers pointed skyward, palm facing the jumpmaster, from the bottom to top behind the waistband as close as possible to the left D-ring. Look at the waistband to insure that it is routed over the left main lift web and under the left D-ring. Trace the waistband back to the metal adjuster, insuring that it is not twisted, cut or frayed. Leave the right hand in place behind the metal adjuster. Remove the left hand from the left carrying handle of the reserve parachute and insert the index finger and middle finger of the left hand from top to bottom into the quick release formed by waistband. Insure that it is no more than three fingers, no less than two, and that it is not a false quick release. Remove the index finger and middle finger from the quick release and with the index finger and thumb of the left hand pinch off the free running end of the waistband where it comes out of the metal adjuster. Trace the free running end of the waistband until the fingers fall of the end, insuring it is not cut, torn, or frayed, and is easily accessible to the jumper. Reinsert the left hand into the left carrying handle of the reserve parachute with the palm facing away from the reserve and fingers spread. Look at the right hand and trace the waistband adjuster panel back to where it is sewn into the packtray insuring that it is not twisted, cut, frayed or been misrouted behind the horizontal back strap. Look at the waistband adjuster panel where it is sewn to the packtray and insure that at least 50% of one row of stitching is present. Drop both hands and move to the front of the jumper.
RESERVE (SLCP)
With the left hand grasp the top carrying handle of the reserve parachute, palm facing the reserve and lift up and out. Look at the left connector snap and with the index finger of the right hand, finger the left connector snap one time to insure that it is properly secured to the left D-ring, has spring tension, and has not been safetied. Grasp the top carrying handle of the reserve parachute with the right hand, palm facing the reserve and lift up and out. Look at the right connector snap and with the index finger of the left hand, finger the right connector snap one time to insure that it is properly secured to the D-ring, does not have spring tension, and has been safetied. To further insure that the right connector snap has been safetied, with the left index finger pull down and out on the safety wire and lanyard to insure that the safety wire has been routed through the drilled hole in the right connector snap. Insert the left index finger from the top to the bottom on the inside of the right connector snap to insure the safety wire has been bent down toward the ground.The jumpmaster will place his right hand on the left end panel of the reserve parachute, then form a knife cutting edge with his left hand, fingers and thumb extended and joined pointed down, palm facing the jumpmaster; and sweep one time from the jumper’s left to right behind the rip cord grip. Ensuring the top left and top right pack opening spring bands have not been misrouted over the ripcord grip. Form a fist with your left hand leaving the index finger exposed and insert it behind the ripcord grip retainer, ensuring that the ripcord grip is routed between the top panel and the rip cord grip retainer and not the ripcord retainer and the pile tape. Remove the left index finger and place it on the right steel swaged ball to ensure that it is present and against the ripcord grip and it is not cracked or corroded. With the index finger and thumb of your left hand pinch off the right cable where it emerges from the ripcord grip and trace it down until you come in contact with the locking pin, ensuring the cable is not kinked or frayed and it is properly routed over the pile tape. Continue to trace down the locking pin until you come to the end, ensuring the locking pin is not bent, cracked, or corroded. Leave your left index and thumb on the end of the right locking pin, and make a visual inspection of the red soft loop, to ensure it is not cut, frayed, burned or twisted and the locking pin is routed through it completely and not puncturing it. Place your right index finger on the left steel swaged ball and conduct the same inspection. Now place either hand on an end panel, and with the index finger and thumb of the other hand, pinch off the ripcord protector flap making a visual and physical inspection of the log record book to ensure that it is present. Close the ripcord protector flap and make a visual inspection to ensure a piece of ¼ inch yellow binding tape is permanently sewn across the top of the ripcord protector flap. With either hand feel for the bulge created by the deployment assistance device to ensure it is centered behind the ripcord protector flap. The pack opening spring bands must be inspected for exposed metal, spring tension, and proper routing. Form a knife edge with the left hand, fingers and thumb extended and joined, palm facing you the jumpmaster and sweep the top carrying handle and universal static line snap hook back toward the jumper, this will be control hand. Begin the inspection of the pack opening spring bands with the top right pack opening spring band. With the index finger and thumb of the right hand pinch off the tab portion of the top right pack opening spring band and pull it down toward the ripcord protector flap. Look at the pack opening spring band to insure that it is routed through the reinforced nylon webbing on the back of the reserve, it is properly routed under the top carrying handle, and there is no exposed metal on the pack opening spring band. When the tab portion of the pack opening spring band is released the pack opening spring band should pop back into place. Repeat the same inspection for the top left pack opening spring band. With the left hand, form a knife-edge, fingers and thumb extended and joined, palm facing you the jumpmaster, fingers pointing down and sweep the left carrying handle out of the way and inspect the left pack opening spring band. Place the control hand on the bottom right corner of the reserve parachute lifting it up and out, so that the bottom left and bottom right pack opening spring bands can be inspected in the same manner. Lower the reserve parachute back to its original position, leave the control hand on the bottom right corner of the reserve, and inspect the right pack opening spring band. An overall inspection of the reserve parachute must now be conducted to insure that it is free of grease, oil, dirt, mud, tears, and exposed canopy. Place both hands on the top right corner of the reserve parachute, palms facing the reserve. The left hand is the control hand and the right hand is the working hand. With the head and eyes 6 to 8 inches from the working hand trace across the top panel and down the left end panel. Move the control hand down to the bottom right corner of the reserve and lift the reserve parachute up and out, exposing the bottom panel, trace the bottom panel across until contact is made with the control hand. Lower the reserve parachute back to its original position, return the control hand to the top right corner. Flip the right hand over and trace up the right end panel until contact is made with the control hand. Raise the control hand up out of the way and trace across the top right corner where the control hand had been. Raise the reserve parachute to the jumper and issue the commands “hold, squat.”
LEG STRAPS:
Insert the index finger and middle finger of each hand from outside to inside under the leg straps behind the aviator’s kit bag where the natural pocket is formed. Simultaneously slide both hands rearward on the leg straps back to the saddle, insuring that the leg straps are not crossed. With the left hand trace the right leg strap up to the quick fit V-ring insuring that it is not twisted, cut, or frayed. With the thumb of the left hand press in on the activating lever of the right leg strap ejector snap to insure that it is properly seated over the ball detent and is free of all foreign matter. Leave the left hand in place and look at the left leg strap. With the right hand trace the left leg strap up to the quick fit V-ring insuring that it is not twisted, cut, or frayed and it is properly routed through the exposed carrying handle of the aviator’s kit bag, over the bottom and under the top. With the thumb or index finger of the right hand press in on the activating lever of the left leg strap ejector snap to insure that it is properly seated over the ball detent, and is free of all foreign matter. Look at the aviator’s kit bag to insure that it is present, not been reversed and the sewn re-enforced portion is facing away from the jumper. Tap the jumper on the thigh and issue the command “Recover.”
UNIVERSAL STATIC LINE:
Reach across your body with your right hand and grasp the Universal Static Line Snap Hook. Pull up on the universal static line snap hook to ensure it is that it is secured to the top carrying handle of the reserve parachute. Open the right hand and let the universal static line snap hook rest in the palm. Place the index finger of the left hand on the girth hitch of the universal static line. Insure the green marking stitching is present and the girth hitch is routed around the narrow portion of the universal static line snap hook. Place the index finger of the left hand near the rivet pin, to ensure it is secure and free of rust and corrosion. With the right hand, re-grasp the universal static line snap hook and hold it perpendicular to the reserve parachute with the opening gate facing toward the jumper. With the left hand, palm facing the jumper, thumb pointing downward, grasp the universal static line just above the universal static line snap hook. Rotate the universal static line down and to the jumper’s right and push it toward the universal static line snap hook. Inspect inside the girth hitch to insure it is free of all cuts frays and burns. With the index finger or thumb of the right hand push the girth hitch back towards the universal static line snap hook and again inspect inside the girth hitch for any cuts frays or burns. Redress the girth hitch down around the narrow portion of the universal static line snap hook and release the universal static line with the left hand. Since the static line is routed over the jumper’s right shoulder, with the index finger and thumb of the right hand, form an “O” around the universal static line just above the universal static line snap hook. Raise the right hand up simultaneously inspecting the static line as it passes through the “O” formed by the right hand to insure that it is free of all cuts, frays, and burns. When the right hand has been raised as high as it can go issue the jumper the command “turn.” Once the jumper has completed the turn, the right hand should have been raised high enough so as to pull all of the slack from the static line slack retainer. Keep the universal static line tight between the control hand and the first stow, place the index finger, or index finger and the middle finger of the working hand behind the universal static line below the control hand so there is skin to skin contact. Trace the universal static line down to the first stow insuring that it is free of all cuts, frays, and burns and it has not been misrouted under or through either riser assembly. With either hand, form a bite in the universal static line and look at the static line slack retainer. Insure the static line slack retainer it is not torn or frayed more than 50%, then insert the bight from top to bottom through the static line slack retainer and pull all excess universal static line through. Flip the bight on top of the packtray and place either hand on it. The hand that controls the bite becomes the control hand. With the index finger and thumb of working hand pinch off the first stow and pull it one or two inches toward the center of the packtray. Look behind the stow to insure that the universal static line has not been misrouted around the static line stow bar and it is free of cuts, frays, or burns. Release the first stow and let it pop back into place. Insert the index finger of the working hand from bottom to top behind the first strand of universal static line as close as possible to the first stow. Trace the first strand of universal static line over to the second stow to insure that it is free of all cuts, frays, and burns. Once contact is made with the second stow, pinch it off with the index finger and thumb of the working hand pull it one to two inches toward the center of the packtray and conduct the same inspection. Place the index finger or thumb of the working hand behind the second strand of static line and trace it away from you insuring it is not cut, frayed, or burned. Continue to inspect the universal static line in the same manner down to the pack opening loop insuring that you inspect the last strand of static line with the index finger only and the last strand of universal static line is routed from the right outer static line stow bar.
PACK OPENING LOOP, PACK CLOSING LOOPS, PACK CLOSING TIE:
Once contact is made with the pack-opening loop insure that it is situated between the pack closing loops at the 6 and 9 o’clock position. Insert the index finger of the working hand from bottom to top into the pack-opening loop. Pull down and out on the pack opening loop, look inside the pack opening loop to insure the pack closing tie has been routed through the pack opening loop and that the pack opening loop is not torn or frayed at all. Let the pack opening loop pop off your finger. Place the index finer of the working hand on the pack-closing loop at the six o’clock position. Look at the pack closing loop to insure the pack closing tie is routed through the pack closing loop and the pack closing loop is not torn or frayed more than 50%. Inspect the remaining pack closing loops in the same manner using a clockwise motion, 9 o’clock, 12 o’clock, 3 o’clock. Look at the pack closing tie and the surgeon’s knot locking knot. Insure the surgeon’s knot locking knot is properly positioned between the pack closing loops at the 3 o’clock and 6 o’clock position. Insert the index finger of working hand from bottom to top behind the surgeon’s knot locking knot and pull down and out, to ensure it is secure and that the pack closing tie has been properly constructed of one turn and one turn only of ¼ inch cotton webbing. Let the pack closing tie pop off the end of your finger, stand up directly behind the jumper and issue the command “tilt your head forward”.
ADVANCED COMBAT HELMET (REAR):
The jumpmaster places both hands on the left side of the ACH, fingers and thumbs extended and joined fingers pointing skyward, palms facing the jumper. The left hand is the control hand; the right hand is the working hand. With the working hand trace the rim of the ACH feeling for any sharp or protruding edges that may cut or damage the jumper’s static line upon exiting the aircraft. Once the hands are parallel place the thumbs on the rim of the ACH and tilt the jumper’s head forward. Conduct a visual inspection to ensure the oval pads are covering the bolt ends and the rear pad is protruding slightly past the rim of the ACH.
Place the right index finger on the right adjustable buckle to ensure the right adjustable strap is properly routed through it and free of all cracked components and is serviceable. Now trace the right adjustable strap down until contact is made with the long portion chinstrap to ensure it is not twisted cut or frayed. Leave the right index finger in place, now place the left index finger on the left adjustable buckle and conduct the same inspection. Leave the left index finger in place. Conduct a visual inspection of the nape pad to ensure it is present, secure, serviceable, and has not been reverse.
RISER ASSEMBLIES:
Reach as far forward over the jumper’s shoulders as possible and with each hand grasp a riser assembly just above the canopy release assemblies. Since these are like items of equipment, either riser assembly can be inspected first, however for this talk through we will begin the inspection with the left riser assembly. Give the left riser assembly a sharp tug to the rear. Open the left hand to form an “L”. Apply upward pressure with the left thumb and trace the riser assembly rearward to where it disappears into the main packtray, insuring it is not twisted, cut, torn, or frayed. Leave the left hand in place and with the right hand conduct the same inspection on the right riser assembly. You must insure a log record book is present in either riser assembly.
PACKTRAY:
An overall inspection of the packtray must be conducted to insure the packtray is free of grease, oil, dirt, mud, or tears. Place both hands on the top left corner of the packtray, palms facing the packtray. The left hand is the control hand and the right hand is the working hand. With the head and eyes 6 to 8 inches away from the working hand trace across the top pack closing flap, down the right pack closing flap, across the bottom pack closing flap, flip the right hand over and trace up the left pack closing flap. When the working hand makes contact with the control hand, raise the control hand out of the way and trace across the top left corner of the packtray where the control hand had been. Form knife-edges with both hands, palms facing the jumpmaster and issue the command “arch your back”.
DIAGONAL BACKSTRAPS:
Insert each hand under the X formed by the diagonal back straps. Look at the diagonal back straps to insure they have been properly routed over the appropriate shoulder, and that the top diagonal back strap has one more row of exposed stitching than the one on the bottom. Look at the diagonal back strap retainers to insure they are routed through the sizing channels on the diagonal back straps. The diagonal back strap retainers are routed around the diagonal back strap keepers and the pull the dot fasteners are secured. To further ensure the pull the dot fasteners are secure, with both thumbs, apply upward pressure on the pull the dot fasteners. Focus your attention on the left hand and the left side of your jumper. With the left hand, trace down the diagonal back strap to the back strap adjuster, insuring that it is not twisted, cut, or frayed. Grasp the back strap adjuster with the left hand and focus your attention on the right side of your jumper. With the right hand, trace down the diagonal back strap, insuring it is not twisted cut or frayed, bypass the back strap adjuster and pick up the inspection of the horizontal back strap.
HORIZONTAL BACKSTRAPS:
Trace the horizontal back strap down to where it disappears into the main lift web. Withdraw the right hand from under the horizontal back strap, and reinsert it, fingers and thumb extended and joined, fingers pointing skyward, palm facing the jumpmaster, from bottom to top behind the horizontal back strap where it reemerges from the main lift web and issue the jumper the command “bend forward at the waist”. Release the back strap adjuster with the left hand, reach across the packtray and grasp the center of the bottom pack-closing flap. With the head and eyes 6 to 8 inches from the working hand, trace the horizontal back strap across the jumper’s back insuring it is not twisted, cut, or frayed, and that the horizontal back strap is properly routed through both horizontal back strap retainers, and that the horizontal back strap retainers are routed around the horizontal back strap keeper, and the pull the dot fasteners are secured. Continue tracing the horizontal back strap to where it disappears into the main lift web on the left side of the jumper. With the left hand, palm facing skyward, re-grasp the back strap adjuster on the jumper’s left side. Withdraw the right hand from behind the horizontal back strap and reinsert it, fingers and thumb extended and joined, palm facing the jumpmaster, from top to bottom or bottom to top behind the horizontal back strap where it reemerges from the main lift web. Trace the horizontal back strap up to where contact is made with the control hand still in place on the back strap adjuster. Withdraw the right hand from behind the horizontal back strap and get left hip to left hip with the jumper.
SADDLE:
Place the finger tips of the right hand, fingers and thumb extended and joined, fingers pointed down, palm facing the jumper on the accessory attaching ring of the lowering line adapter web or the single “X” boxed stitch on the left main lift web. Trace the saddle across the jumpers buttocks insuring that the saddle is not twisted, cut, frayed, been inverted, or that either leg strap has been misrouted around the saddle. Trace the saddle until contact is made with the single “X” boxed stitch on the right main lift web. Reach back and get a hand full of air and issue the jumper that good seal of approval by tapping the jumper on the buttocks and issuing the command “recover”.
Hollywood JMPI Sequence
ADVANCED COMBAT HELMET (FRONT):
The jumpmaster will place both hands on the right side of the ACH; fingers and thumbs extended and joined pointing skyward, palms facing the jumper. The left hand is the control hand; the right hand is the working hand. With the working hand trace across the rim of the ACH feeling for any sharp or protruding edges that may cut or damage the jumper’s static line upon exiting the aircraft. Once the hands are parallel place the thumbs on the rim of the ACH, tilt the jumpers head to the rear. Conduct a visual inspection to ensure the three suspension pads are present and the oval pads are covering the bolt ends.
Place the right index finger on the left adjustable buckle to ensure it is free of all cracked components and is serviceable, and the left adjustable strap is properly routed through it and the free running end is secured in the webbing retainer. Now trace the left adjustable strap down to the chinstrap fastener, to ensure it is free of all cracked components and properly secured. Now bypass the chinstrap fastener and trace the long portion chinstrap, under the jumpers chin to where it is sewn into the right adjustable strap to ensure it is not twisted, cut or frayed. Now trace the right adjustable strap up to the right adjustable buckle to ensure it is free of all cracked components and is serviceable, and the free running end is secured in the webbing retainer. With the right index finger trace the short portion chinstrap across the front of the jumper’s chin drop both hands.
CANOPY RELEASE ASSEMBLIES:
Then next item of equipment we will discuss is the canopy release assemblies. These are like items of equipment so either one can be inspected first, however, for this talk through, we will start with the canopy release assembly opposite the Universal Static Line. Since the Universal Static Line is routed over the jumper’s right shoulder, we will begin the inspection with the jumper’s left canopy release assembly. Look at the left canopy release assembly; tap it with the knuckles of the right hand one time to insure that it sounds solid. With the right hand turn the left canopy release assembly one-quarter turn out and re-look at it. Insure that it is properly assembled, has no cracked components and that it is free of all foreign matter. Now look at the right canopy release assembly and with the left hand, conduct the same inspection. If the static line is resting against either canopy release assembly, it must be moved out of the way so that it does not obstruct the jumpmaster’s view of the canopy release assemblies.
CHEST STRAP:
Simultaneously slide both hands down the main lift web until the little fingers make contact with either the D-rings. Look at the chest strap to insure that it has not been misrouted around the main lift web. Insert the right hand, fingers and thumb extended and joined, fingers pointed skyward, palm facing the jumpmaster from bottom to top behind the chest strap next to where it is sewn into the main lift web. Trace the chest strap across until the right hand is behind the ejector snap, insuring that the chest strap is not twisted, cut, or frayed. The ejector snap pad will not come between the right hand and the ejector snap. With the thumb of the right hand, press in on the activating lever of the ejector snap to insure that it is properly seated over the ball detent and is free of all foreign matter. Leave the right hand and thumb in place, and move to the right side of the jumper.
WAIST BAND:
Insert the left hand, fingers and thumb extended and joined fingers pointed skyward, palm facing the jumpmaster, from the bottom to the top behind the waistband next to where it sewn into the packtray. Look at the waistband where it is sewn into the packtray and insure that at least 50% of one row of stitching is present. Trace the waistband forward to insure that it is not twisted, cut, frayed or been misrouted behind the horizontal back strap. Trace the waistband forward until the left hand makes contact with the right D-ring. Look at the waistband to insure that it is routed over the right main lift web and under the right D-ring. Rotate the right hand down and grasp the top-carrying handle of the reserve parachute, palm facing the reserve. Simultaneously lift up and out on the reserve parachute and place the left hand, palm facing the jumper, into the jumper’s chest. Look at the waistband where it is routed behind the reserve parachute to insure that it is routed through both waistband retainers and it is not twisted, cut, or frayed. Withdraw the left hand from the jumper’s chest, reach under the right forearm, and insert the left hand into the left carrying handle of the reserve parachute, palm facing away from the reserve with the fingers spread. With the right hand, release the top carrying handle of the reserve parachute and move to the left side of the jumper. Insert the right hand, fingers and thumb extended and joined, fingers pointed skyward, palm facing the jumpmaster, from the bottom to top behind the waistband as close as possible to the left D-ring. Look at the waistband to insure that it is routed over the left main lift web and under the left D-ring. Trace the waistband back to the metal adjuster, insuring that it is not twisted, cut or frayed. Leave the right hand in place behind the metal adjuster. Remove the left hand from the left carrying handle of the reserve parachute and insert the index finger and middle finger of the left hand from top to bottom into the quick release formed by waistband. Insure that it is no more than three fingers, no less than two, and that it is not a false quick release. Remove the index finger and middle finger from the quick release and with the index finger and thumb of the left hand pinch off the free running end of the waistband where it comes out of the metal adjuster. Trace the free running end of the waistband until the fingers fall of the end, insuring it is not cut, torn, or frayed, and is easily accessible to the jumper. Reinsert the left hand into the left carrying handle of the reserve parachute with the palm facing away from the reserve and fingers spread. Look at the right hand and trace the waistband adjuster panel back to where it is sewn into the packtray insuring that it is not twisted, cut, frayed or been misrouted behind the horizontal back strap. Look at the waistband adjuster panel where it is sewn to the packtray and insure that at least 50% of one row of stitching is present. Drop both hands and move to the front of the jumper.
RESERVE (SLCP)
With the left hand grasp the top carrying handle of the reserve parachute, palm facing the reserve and lift up and out. Look at the left connector snap and with the index finger of the right hand, finger the left connector snap one time to insure that it is properly secured to the left D-ring, has spring tension, and has not been safetied. Grasp the top carrying handle of the reserve parachute with the right hand, palm facing the reserve and lift up and out. Look at the right connector snap and with the index finger of the left hand, finger the right connector snap one time to insure that it is properly secured to the D-ring, does not have spring tension, and has been safetied. To further insure that the right connector snap has been safetied, with the left index finger pull down and out on the safety wire and lanyard to insure that the safety wire has been routed through the drilled hole in the right connector snap. Insert the left index finger from the top to the bottom on the inside of the right connector snap to insure the safety wire has been bent down toward the ground.The jumpmaster will place his right hand on the left end panel of the reserve parachute, then form a knife cutting edge with his left hand, fingers and thumb extended and joined pointed down, palm facing the jumpmaster; and sweep one time from the jumper’s left to right behind the rip cord grip. Ensuring the top left and top right pack opening spring bands have not been misrouted over the ripcord grip. Form a fist with your left hand leaving the index finger exposed and insert it behind the ripcord grip retainer, ensuring that the ripcord grip is routed between the top panel and the rip cord grip retainer and not the ripcord retainer and the pile tape. Remove the left index finger and place it on the right steel swaged ball to ensure that it is present and against the ripcord grip and it is not cracked or corroded. With the index finger and thumb of your left hand pinch off the right cable where it emerges from the ripcord grip and trace it down until you come in contact with the locking pin, ensuring the cable is not kinked or frayed and it is properly routed over the pile tape. Continue to trace down the locking pin until you come to the end, ensuring the locking pin is not bent, cracked, or corroded. Leave your left index and thumb on the end of the right locking pin, and make a visual inspection of the red soft loop, to ensure it is not cut, frayed, burned or twisted and the locking pin is routed through it completely and not puncturing it. Place your right index finger on the left steel swaged ball and conduct the same inspection. Now place either hand on an end panel, and with the index finger and thumb of the other hand, pinch off the ripcord protector flap making a visual and physical inspection of the log record book to ensure that it is present. Close the ripcord protector flap and make a visual inspection to ensure a piece of ¼ inch yellow binding tape is permanently sewn across the top of the ripcord protector flap. With either hand feel for the bulge created by the deployment assistance device to ensure it is centered behind the ripcord protector flap. The pack opening spring bands must be inspected for exposed metal, spring tension, and proper routing. Form a knife edge with the left hand, fingers and thumb extended and joined, palm facing you the jumpmaster and sweep the top carrying handle and universal static line snap hook back toward the jumper, this will be control hand. Begin the inspection of the pack opening spring bands with the top right pack opening spring band. With the index finger and thumb of the right hand pinch off the tab portion of the top right pack opening spring band and pull it down toward the ripcord protector flap. Look at the pack opening spring band to insure that it is routed through the reinforced nylon webbing on the back of the reserve, it is properly routed under the top carrying handle, and there is no exposed metal on the pack opening spring band. When the tab portion of the pack opening spring band is released the pack opening spring band should pop back into place. Repeat the same inspection for the top left pack opening spring band. With the left hand, form a knife-edge, fingers and thumb extended and joined, palm facing you the jumpmaster, fingers pointing down and sweep the left carrying handle out of the way and inspect the left pack opening spring band. Place the control hand on the bottom right corner of the reserve parachute lifting it up and out, so that the bottom left and bottom right pack opening spring bands can be inspected in the same manner. Lower the reserve parachute back to its original position, leave the control hand on the bottom right corner of the reserve, and inspect the right pack opening spring band. An overall inspection of the reserve parachute must now be conducted to insure that it is free of grease, oil, dirt, mud, tears, and exposed canopy. Place both hands on the top right corner of the reserve parachute, palms facing the reserve. The left hand is the control hand and the right hand is the working hand. With the head and eyes 6 to 8 inches from the working hand trace across the top panel and down the left end panel. Move the control hand down to the bottom right corner of the reserve and lift the reserve parachute up and out, exposing the bottom panel, trace the bottom panel across until contact is made with the control hand. Lower the reserve parachute back to its original position, return the control hand to the top right corner. Flip the right hand over and trace up the right end panel until contact is made with the control hand. Raise the control hand up out of the way and trace across the top right corner where the control hand had been. Raise the reserve parachute to the jumper and issue the commands “hold, squat.”
LEG STRAPS:
Insert the index finger and middle finger of each hand from outside to inside under the leg straps behind the aviator’s kit bag where the natural pocket is formed. Simultaneously slide both hands rearward on the leg straps back to the saddle, insuring that the leg straps are not crossed. With the left hand trace the right leg strap up to the quick fit V-ring insuring that it is not twisted, cut, or frayed. With the thumb of the left hand press in on the activating lever of the right leg strap ejector snap to insure that it is properly seated over the ball detent and is free of all foreign matter. Leave the left hand in place and look at the left leg strap. With the right hand trace the left leg strap up to the quick fit V-ring insuring that it is not twisted, cut, or frayed and it is properly routed through the exposed carrying handle of the aviator’s kit bag, over the bottom and under the top. With the thumb or index finger of the right hand press in on the activating lever of the left leg strap ejector snap to insure that it is properly seated over the ball detent, and is free of all foreign matter. Look at the aviator’s kit bag to insure that it is present, not been reversed and the sewn re-enforced portion is facing away from the jumper. Tap the jumper on the thigh and issue the command “Recover.”
UNIVERSAL STATIC LINE:
Reach across your body with your right hand and grasp the Universal Static Line Snap Hook. Pull up on the universal static line snap hook to ensure it is that it is secured to the top carrying handle of the reserve parachute. Open the right hand and let the universal static line snap hook rest in the palm. Place the index finger of the left hand on the girth hitch of the universal static line. Insure the green marking stitching is present and the girth hitch is routed around the narrow portion of the universal static line snap hook. Place the index finger of the left hand near the rivet pin, to ensure it is secure and free of rust and corrosion. With the right hand, re-grasp the universal static line snap hook and hold it perpendicular to the reserve parachute with the opening gate facing toward the jumper. With the left hand, palm facing the jumper, thumb pointing downward, grasp the universal static line just above the universal static line snap hook. Rotate the universal static line down and to the jumper’s right and push it toward the universal static line snap hook. Inspect inside the girth hitch to insure it is free of all cuts frays and burns. With the index finger or thumb of the right hand push the girth hitch back towards the universal static line snap hook and again inspect inside the girth hitch for any cuts frays or burns. Redress the girth hitch down around the narrow portion of the universal static line snap hook and release the universal static line with the left hand. Since the static line is routed over the jumper’s right shoulder, with the index finger and thumb of the right hand, form an “O” around the universal static line just above the universal static line snap hook. Raise the right hand up simultaneously inspecting the static line as it passes through the “O” formed by the right hand to insure that it is free of all cuts, frays, and burns. When the right hand has been raised as high as it can go issue the jumper the command “turn.” Once the jumper has completed the turn, the right hand should have been raised high enough so as to pull all of the slack from the static line slack retainer. Keep the universal static line tight between the control hand and the first stow, place the index finger, or index finger and the middle finger of the working hand behind the universal static line below the control hand so there is skin to skin contact. Trace the universal static line down to the first stow insuring that it is free of all cuts, frays, and burns and it has not been misrouted under or through either riser assembly. With either hand, form a bite in the universal static line and look at the static line slack retainer. Insure the static line slack retainer it is not torn or frayed more than 50%, then insert the bight from top to bottom through the static line slack retainer and pull all excess universal static line through. Flip the bight on top of the packtray and place either hand on it. The hand that controls the bite becomes the control hand. With the index finger and thumb of working hand pinch off the first stow and pull it one or two inches toward the center of the packtray. Look behind the stow to insure that the universal static line has not been misrouted around the static line stow bar and it is free of cuts, frays, or burns. Release the first stow and let it pop back into place. Insert the index finger of the working hand from bottom to top behind the first strand of universal static line as close as possible to the first stow. Trace the first strand of universal static line over to the second stow to insure that it is free of all cuts, frays, and burns. Once contact is made with the second stow, pinch it off with the index finger and thumb of the working hand pull it one to two inches toward the center of the packtray and conduct the same inspection. Place the index finger or thumb of the working hand behind the second strand of static line and trace it away from you insuring it is not cut, frayed, or burned. Continue to inspect the universal static line in the same manner down to the pack opening loop insuring that you inspect the last strand of static line with the index finger only and the last strand of universal static line is routed from the right outer static line stow bar.
PACK OPENING LOOP, PACK CLOSING LOOPS, PACK CLOSING TIE:
Once contact is made with the pack-opening loop insure that it is situated between the pack closing loops at the 6 and 9 o’clock position. Insert the index finger of the working hand from bottom to top into the pack-opening loop. Pull down and out on the pack opening loop, look inside the pack opening loop to insure the pack closing tie has been routed through the pack opening loop and that the pack opening loop is not torn or frayed at all. Let the pack opening loop pop off your finger. Place the index finer of the working hand on the pack-closing loop at the six o’clock position. Look at the pack closing loop to insure the pack closing tie is routed through the pack closing loop and the pack closing loop is not torn or frayed more than 50%. Inspect the remaining pack closing loops in the same manner using a clockwise motion, 9 o’clock, 12 o’clock, 3 o’clock. Look at the pack closing tie and the surgeon’s knot locking knot. Insure the surgeon’s knot locking knot is properly positioned between the pack closing loops at the 3 o’clock and 6 o’clock position. Insert the index finger of working hand from bottom to top behind the surgeon’s knot locking knot and pull down and out, to ensure it is secure and that the pack closing tie has been properly constructed of one turn and one turn only of ¼ inch cotton webbing. Let the pack closing tie pop off the end of your finger, stand up directly behind the jumper and issue the command “tilt your head forward”.
ADVANCED COMBAT HELMET (REAR):
The jumpmaster places both hands on the left side of the ACH, fingers and thumbs extended and joined fingers pointing skyward, palms facing the jumper. The left hand is the control hand; the right hand is the working hand. With the working hand trace the rim of the ACH feeling for any sharp or protruding edges that may cut or damage the jumper’s static line upon exiting the aircraft. Once the hands are parallel place the thumbs on the rim of the ACH and tilt the jumper’s head forward. Conduct a visual inspection to ensure the oval pads are covering the bolt ends and the rear pad is protruding slightly past the rim of the ACH.
Place the right index finger on the right adjustable buckle to ensure the right adjustable strap is properly routed through it and free of all cracked components and is serviceable. Now trace the right adjustable strap down until contact is made with the long portion chinstrap to ensure it is not twisted cut or frayed. Leave the right index finger in place, now place the left index finger on the left adjustable buckle and conduct the same inspection. Leave the left index finger in place. Conduct a visual inspection of the nape pad to ensure it is present, secure, serviceable, and has not been reverse.
RISER ASSEMBLIES:
Reach as far forward over the jumper’s shoulders as possible and with each hand grasp a riser assembly just above the canopy release assemblies. Since these are like items of equipment, either riser assembly can be inspected first, however for this talk through we will begin the inspection with the left riser assembly. Give the left riser assembly a sharp tug to the rear. Open the left hand to form an “L”. Apply upward pressure with the left thumb and trace the riser assembly rearward to where it disappears into the main packtray, insuring it is not twisted, cut, torn, or frayed. Leave the left hand in place and with the right hand conduct the same inspection on the right riser assembly. You must insure a log record book is present in either riser assembly.
PACKTRAY:
An overall inspection of the packtray must be conducted to insure the packtray is free of grease, oil, dirt, mud, or tears. Place both hands on the top left corner of the packtray, palms facing the packtray. The left hand is the control hand and the right hand is the working hand. With the head and eyes 6 to 8 inches away from the working hand trace across the top pack closing flap, down the right pack closing flap, across the bottom pack closing flap, flip the right hand over and trace up the left pack closing flap. When the working hand makes contact with the control hand, raise the control hand out of the way and trace across the top left corner of the packtray where the control hand had been. Form knife-edges with both hands, palms facing the jumpmaster and issue the command “arch your back”.
DIAGONAL BACKSTRAPS:
Insert each hand under the X formed by the diagonal back straps. Look at the diagonal back straps to insure they have been properly routed over the appropriate shoulder, and that the top diagonal back strap has one more row of exposed stitching than the one on the bottom. Look at the diagonal back strap retainers to insure they are routed through the sizing channels on the diagonal back straps. The diagonal back strap retainers are routed around the diagonal back strap keepers and the pull the dot fasteners are secured. To further ensure the pull the dot fasteners are secure, with both thumbs, apply upward pressure on the pull the dot fasteners. Focus your attention on the left hand and the left side of your jumper. With the left hand, trace down the diagonal back strap to the back strap adjuster, insuring that it is not twisted, cut, or frayed. Grasp the back strap adjuster with the left hand and focus your attention on the right side of your jumper. With the right hand, trace down the diagonal back strap, insuring it is not twisted cut or frayed, bypass the back strap adjuster and pick up the inspection of the horizontal back strap.
HORIZONTAL BACKSTRAPS:
Trace the horizontal back strap down to where it disappears into the main lift web. Withdraw the right hand from under the horizontal back strap, and reinsert it, fingers and thumb extended and joined, fingers pointing skyward, palm facing the jumpmaster, from bottom to top behind the horizontal back strap where it reemerges from the main lift web and issue the jumper the command “bend forward at the waist”. Release the back strap adjuster with the left hand, reach across the packtray and grasp the center of the bottom pack-closing flap. With the head and eyes 6 to 8 inches from the working hand, trace the horizontal back strap across the jumper’s back insuring it is not twisted, cut, or frayed, and that the horizontal back strap is properly routed through both horizontal back strap retainers, and that the horizontal back strap retainers are routed around the horizontal back strap keeper, and the pull the dot fasteners are secured. Continue tracing the horizontal back strap to where it disappears into the main lift web on the left side of the jumper. With the left hand, palm facing skyward, re-grasp the back strap adjuster on the jumper’s left side. Withdraw the right hand from behind the horizontal back strap and reinsert it, fingers and thumb extended and joined, palm facing the jumpmaster, from top to bottom or bottom to top behind the horizontal back strap where it reemerges from the main lift web. Trace the horizontal back strap up to where contact is made with the control hand still in place on the back strap adjuster. Withdraw the right hand from behind the horizontal back strap and get left hip to left hip with the jumper.
SADDLE:
Place the finger tips of the right hand, fingers and thumb extended and joined, fingers pointed down, palm facing the jumper on the accessory attaching ring of the lowering line adapter web or the single “X” boxed stitch on the left main lift web. Trace the saddle across the jumpers buttocks insuring that the saddle is not twisted, cut, frayed, been inverted, or that either leg strap has been misrouted around the saddle. Trace the saddle until contact is made with the single “X” boxed stitch on the right main lift web. Reach back and get a hand full of air and issue the jumper that good seal of approval by tapping the jumper on the buttocks and issuing the command “recover”.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
