Hurry Up And Wait: Day: April 20, 2009

Monday, April 20, 2009

Day: April 20, 2009

Day: April 20, 2009
Weather report: low-70’s today, humidity 94% wind is about 5 ESE

PT formation was at 0530hrs this morning. After a fairly slow pace 5 mile run, flutter kicks, push-ups, over-head arm claps, leg spreaders, military presses, and leg raises, we stretched and were released until next formation at 0830hrs. They have backed it up 15 minutes today for some reason. We still do not have any idea of what we will be doing or how far we will be running to our new training area. We will find out soon enough I guess. Raisin Bran and Gogurt, a couple of Advil to get it in my system to help with the sore legs and buttock, and keep some of the pain down, that they will inflict on us shortly, and I am on my way out the door.

Training resumed as usual toady. We started with the suspended harness trainer. With this trainer it helps us with getting use to pulling slips. When pulling slips properly it will allow you to soften your landing. Sergeant Airborne would give the command slip left; we would reach high into our risers and pull them down US Army name tape level. IF performed properly it was slipping the risers will keep you from oscillating during decent. After we completed that task we went to the Swing Land Trainer (SLT), better known as the “Slam Dunk”. This is a suspended harness trainer. The platform is 12’ off the ground. The object is to slowly lean off the 12’ platform and begin swinging with you feet and knees together. The Sergeant Airborne will then give you the wind direction or your drift; you will react by pulling down on your risers and performing a PLF when he lets the rope go that is attached to the harness. To successfully complete the SLT you must complete the following landing satisfactorily: two left PLF’s, two right PLF’s, three forward PLF’s, and three reverse PLF’s. It is pretty difficult to complete this. When you exit the platform you are holding the risers deep into your chest with you chin on chest and your neck muscles tight. As you exit the platform the risers pull your arms straight into the air and you began swing back and forth. Sergeant Airborne will say, “SLIP”, at this point you perform the proper slip according to the drift he gave you prior to exiting the platform. You will then perform a PLF as soon as the balls of your feet hit the ground, kick it up and over, release the canopy and await the critic from the Sergeant Airborne. This took all day! The landing on the SLT was not nearly as bad as the LDT for last week. We finally started back to the company area at 1825hrs. We were released for PT formation at 0530hrs. We will not be able to return to our rooms tomorrow for some reason and must shower and get ready at the barracks.

My upper body hurts today and my legs are a little stiff. Pt in the morning will be a 4 mile run. I had a corndog and fries with beans and apple pie for lunch; peanut butter and jelly sandwich with some cheese and crackers with a gogurt. I bought a Gatorade Tiger to help replenish the electrolytes in the system. I am adding new pictures of the SLT and suspended harness trainer, check them out.

PULL-UPS for the day: 70

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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