Hurry Up And Wait: Day: April 23, 2009

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Day: April 23, 2009

Day: April 23, 2009
Weather report: mid-80’s today, humidity 30% wind is about 10 SSW

Formation for PT was at 0530hrs as normal. We started out with a one mile boots and uniform run followed by circuit training for an additional mile. During the second mile we had several events; flutter kick 100 (four count), push-up 25 (4 sets), leg throws (two sets five minutes each), side straddle hops 100 (four count), fireman carry 100 yards, sprints (two sets fifty yards), overhead arm claps 100 (four count), and military presses 50 (four count). We then set-up the mass exit 34’ tower and went to breakfast. I ate two eggs over easy, four slices of bacon, a bowl of oatmeal, milk, potatoes, and two pancakes. After breakfast we went to the training area to conduct mass exit procedures and steps to correct malfunctions.

My four man group started with a full combat jump and total malfunction drill. The kicker to this exercise is for all members to complete a perfect exit, malfunction correction, and prepare to land. My group went thru the drills on the first time. Our next two jumps were Hollywood style jumps, one with a partial malfunction and the last with a total malfunction. It was a great experience to prepare us for the real thing next week. We then went to lunch. Boy was I hungry! I had two slices of roasted pork, mashed potatoes with gravy, creamed corn, cornbread, a brownie with pecans, and PowerAde. We then returned to the training area for the remainder of my platoon to finish the exercise. I was put in charge of the ropes crew. They are responsible for getting the harnesses from the end of the mound back to the tower for the next group of jumpers. The heat index was kicking today and we drank a ton of water. It was hot! After the platoon had completed the tower we had to survey all the equipment and conduct an equipment accountability show down. This took a while. We made it through it and moved on to suspended harness training two.

During this training we went through diagonal slips, how to avoid fellow paratroopers, and hazards. The diagonal slip is used to increase the speed of your drift. This will allow you to move your parachute away from other paratroopers. It an in air collision is inevitable there is a set of procedures you need to perform; one, pull a slip away from the approaching parachute/paratrooper; two, if it does not work, spread your arms and legs out and start pushing away; three, if that fells you way go into or thru the static lines of the other paratrooper, you must cover your reserve grip with your right hand to prevent a premature release of your reserve parachute and start weaving your way back out of the static line; four, if you are entangled in the static lines you will work your way down the static lines in a hand under hand motion until you reach the other paratrooper, you will then grab each others left harness strap and observe the canopy’s, if one falls it is not an issue, if both fail you will release each other with the left hand and pull the reserve grip and push away. This all takes place in a matter of second. You must react in a calm and reserved manner to ensure the safety of both paratroopers. The next type of obstacle and most frequently encountered is trees. If you are not able to pull a slip away and a tree landing is inevitable you must pull a slip and pull your arms in front of your face and prepare to land if you make it thru the trees. If you find yourself with your combat equipment not lowered, do not lower it as it will provide added protection. If it has been lowered, release the emergency release and let it fall. When you come to a complete stop in a tree there are a few steps needed to get down; one, pull and shake to ensure you are completely stuck; two, rock back and forth and try to reach a limb or branch to climb down; three, activate your reserve with your right arm covering it so the spring does not shoot your reserve chute through the trees; four, slowly lower your reserve to the ground and ensure that it is touching the ground; five, wrap your feet in a braking manner onto the static lines and release yourself from the harness; finally climb down to safety. Here at the airborne school you will not carry out any of these steps unless a Sergeant Airborne is present. They will come and get you down. The next type of hazard is high tension cables. You will try to slip away, if that does not work you must try to go through them and make a PLF. You will do this by placing your hands on the inside of your front risers with your hands open and fingers extended, and you will begin a rocking motion to help you bounce off or go through the wire and prepare to land. The final landing is a water landing. If you cannot avoid landing in the water, you must prepare to swim. Start by looking below you to ensure no one is there. Take off your helmet and release it to the ground. Release your equipment from your harness and leave it attached on the lowering line, this will keep everything together and keep it off of you in the water. Try to slide the seat portion of your harness as far down under your butt as possible. Release the chest strap and place your right hand on the right leg strap release and the left hand on the left leg strap. As soon as your feet hit the water release the leg straps and swim away and upstream from your equipment. Recover your equipment and continue your mission. Hopefully you have an idea of where your helmet is you may need it later. If not your alive and can replace the helmet. The training day ended at 1842hrs today. It was a long tiring day. We reached a heat CAT V and had to unloosen our boots and take a break.

For dinner I had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, milk, chips, and fruit. I am really tired and need some rest. Today, Amanda sent me pictures of the boys playing and it was nice to see them happy and smiling. The boys talked to me for a good while tonight and always ask did I jump out of an airplane. Next week I can tell them yes. I can’t wait to hug the little monsters. I told them I would take a nap with them on the Sunday after I get back and they seemed to be pretty excited about it.

PULL-UPS for the day: 60

No comments:

Post a Comment

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