Hurry Up And Wait: Day: April 17, 2009

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Day: April 17, 2009

Day: April 17, 2009
Weather report: low-70’s today, humidity 40% wind is about 10 ESE today

PT formation 0530hrs and a 4.2 mile run, over a hundred flutter kicks and the overhead arm clap. We had several people fall out of the run this morning and will more than likely go home. PT was a pain in the butt this morning. 0845hrs next formation.

Today at training we worked off the LDA again and did rear PLF’s. The training was the same as yesterday. With the class starting with baby steps on how to fall to falling off a suspended cable system the LDA. Then we went to lunch at the dinning facility, run there and run back. I ate two slices of turkey, brown rice, peas, corn, cornbread, and a piece of peach cobbler. I ate it all and it was good.

After our stick successfully completed that we moved to recovering our parachute at the DZ. The steps we just as described yesterday. Land, secure your equipment, figure eight roll the canopy to the bag, insert the bag leaving the canopy apex exposed, slide belt fastener strap thru apex loop and tie off to handle, snap all snaps closed, secure reserve to aviator bag, place bag over your head with reserve in front and ensure you keep your hand over the reserve pull handle. Next was the combat jump and recover equipment drill. Same as above land, prepare to engage the enemy, remove two adjuster straps and attach them to belt loops, remove quick release and attach to the other front belt loop, place harness in bag with smooth side of pack tray up, pull the parachute to you and stuff in aviator bag, snap all snaps and attach the reserve, throw the reserve chute up over your head and the parachute will be in the front, place your 1950 rifle carrying bag on top and continue your mission.

After the training was completed we cleaned the area, ensured all the equipment was accounted for and came back for evening formation. Dismissal was at 1630. Formation on Monday will be at 0530hrs with another four mile run.

Tonight I am going out to eat at 1900 with the 1SG Alan Castallenoes from the Marine Corps. I think we are going to Logan’s Steakhouse. Going to shower and relax for a few minutes. I was wrong it was Longhorn Steakhouse and my fault about the name. We left at 1800hrs because we were starving and were released so early. I ate a salad with Thousand Island dressing, bread, loaded back potato, lump crab, and key lime pie, with two glasses of sweet tea. I am really full and am going to lay on the bed take two Motrin’s and go to sleep. Amanda is going to dinner with Jim and Susan at Shane’s she had a pretty bad experience at the Zoo with the boy’s, mainly Aden because they were tired from school and didn’t have a nap.

PULL-UPS for the day: 50

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Airborne Creed

THE AIRBORNE CREED

I am an Airborne trooper! A PARATROOPER!
I jump by parachute from any plane in flight. I volunteered to do it, knowing well the hazards of my choice.
I serve in a mighty Airborne Force--famed for deeds in war--renowned for readiness in peace. It is my pledge to uphold its honor and prestige in all I am--in all I do.
I am an elite trooper--a sky trooper--a shock trooper--a spearhead trooper. I blaze the way to far-flung goals--behind, before, above the foe's front line.
I know that I may have to fight without support for days on end. Therefore, I keep mind and body always fit to do my part in any Airborne task. I am self-reliant and unafraid. I shoot true, and march fast and far. I fight hard and excel in every art and artifice of war.
I never fail a fellow trooper. I cherish as a sacred trust the lives of men with whom I serve. Leaders have my fullest loyalty, and those I lead never find me lacking. I have pride in the Airborne! I never let it down!

Airborne 1/507th PIR Crest History

Distinctive Unit Insignia. Description: A silver color metal and enamel 1 1/8 inches (2.86cm) in height consisting of a shield blazoned: Per bend Azure and Argent, on the First an open parachute of the Last, on the Second a lightning flash of the First; attached below the shield a blue scroll inscribed "DOWN TO EARTH" in silver letters.
Symbolism: Blue is the color associated with Infantry. The open parachute symbolizes the parachute functions of the regiment and the lightning flash indicates the speed by which the allotted duties are preformed. The motto further describes the parachute functions of the organization.
Background: The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment on 21 Jan 1943. It was redesignated and amended to update the description and symbolism for the 507th Infantry Regiment on 22 Oct 1985.
Coat of Arms.
Blazon:
Shield: Per bend Azure and Argent, on the First an open parachute of the Last, on the Second a lightning flash of the First.
Crest: On a wreath Argent and Azure, two lightning bolts in saltire, the volt in bend Azure, the other Or, between two springs of oak fructed Proper, the acorns connected in base by a gold key fesswise with bow at dexter, and issuing palewise between the lighting bolts a black widow spider (Latrodectus mactans) head to chief Proper, with hourglass marking tenné.
Motto: DOWN TO EARTH.
Symbolism:
Shield: Blue is the color of the Infantry. The open parachute symbolizes the parachute functions of the regiment and the lightning flash indicates the speed by which the allotted duties are performed.
Crest: The black widow spider was the unofficial symbol of the unit in World War II, black and orange being the colors associated with the unit. The lightning bolts represent two airborne assaults; the blue bolt recalls the Presidential Unit Citation for action on the Contentin Peninsula; the gold refers to the shoulder sleeve insignia of the 17th Airborne Division, of which the unit was a part. The bolts also represent action from the sky and the speed with which allocated duties are performed. The oak sprigs symbolize service in the Ardennes during the Battle of the Bulge. The key refers to the Rhineland as the key to Germany's heartland.
Background: The coat of arms was originally approved for the 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment on 21 Jan 1943. It was redesignated for the 507th Infantry Regiment and amended to add a crest and update the shield symbolism on 4 Feb 1986.

Tower Week, Week Two

Tower Week
A team effort is added to the training with the "mass exit" concept. The apparati used this week are the 34-foot (10 m) towers, the swing landing trainer (SLT), the mock door for mass exit training, the suspended harness, and potentially the 250-foot (76 m) free tower. Tower Week completes student individual skill training and builds team effort skills. To go forward to Jump Training Week students must qualify on the SLT, master the mass exit procedures from the 34-foot (10 m) tower, and pass all PT requirements.

Jump Week, Week Three

Jump Week
During Jump Week students make five parachute jumps into Fryar Drop Zone (DZ) located in Alabama, which is part of the Fort Benning Military Reservation. Trainees must run to the air field, conduct pre-jump training, and then get into their harnesses and await their turn to jump. Generally, two of the jumps are "combat equipment jumps", in which the jumper carries a ruck sack and a dummy weapon. The other three jumps are "hollywood", in that the jumper only wears the parachute and reserve. At least one jump is at night, although, during training cycles where Jump Week falls on a three or four day week (due to a Federal holiday), a night jump is not mandatory to graduate.

T-10D Parachute Discription and Components

TM 10-1670-293-23&P 0002 00 T-10C/T-10D TROOP BACK PARACHUTE ASSEMBLY EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION AND DATA EQUIPMENT CHARACTERISTICS, CAPABILITIES AND FEATURES A summary of the characteristics, capabilities and features of the equipment is contained in the following subparagraphs: Characteristics. Provides a capability to deliver an airborne soldier, and individual equipment, from an aircraft in flight, for a vertical assault on the enemy. Capabilities and Features: Limited in operation to winds of 13-knots at surface. Capable of supporting 360-pounds. Highly portable. Complete assembly weight: 31-pounds. Components of the system: Canopy assembly. Deployment bag. Pack tray. Harness assembly. Risers. Universal Static Line. LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF MAJOR COMPONENTS The following subparagraphs contain locations and descriptions of major components. Canopy. The T-10C/T-10D parachute canopy has a 3¾-inch mesh anti-inversion net attached to the skirt of the canopy. The net extends 18-inches below the canopy skirt. The canopy has two vent line centering loops. 0002 00-1 Change 1