When U.S. ARMY "AIRBORNE Pathfinder Team" had prepared a safe "DZ" (U.S. Paratrooper "Drop Zone"), checked ambient winds (on ground) with a "WindMeter" (to assure ground winds NOT too high ,so as to make a Jump unsafe, and checked "Ground Altitude" of the prospective DZ with an Altimeter, checked exact earth location with their "GPS" (Global Positioning System), they set up a "Defensive Perimeter" with weapons pointed outward, around the DZ; They then marked the DZ with Fluorescent Fabric "Panel Markers", Radioed to the Aircrafts the wind and altitude and exact location of the DZ. (When the Aircraft became visible to the Pathfinders, they often popped a cannister of SMOKE GRENADE(s) so they Pilots could observe "winds aloft behaviors". While the U.S. Paratroopers aboard the Aircraft received their "6 minute Warning" (from the onboard "JumpMasters") to prepare for the Jump, the Pathfinder Team on the DZ was continuously transmitting any and all relevant changes in the known Jump conditions (the on the ground conditions). As time and the Aircraft neared the DZ, the JumpMasters issued a
"2 minute Warning". Shortly thereafter, the following "Jump Commands" were LOUDLY issued (as appropriate to each Aircraft) by the Chief JUMPMASTER onboard, in this sequence (UNLESS there is a Stoppage at any point in the process, then the Chief JUMPMASTER will halt the JUMP COMMANDS until the stoppage has been cleared):

"INBOARD Personnel, STAND UP!" (then those JUMPERS face toward REAR of Aircraft)

"OUTBOARD Personnel, STAND UP!" (then those JUMPERS face toward REAR of Aircraft)

"HOOK UP!"
(meaning Attach your "STATIC LINE" to the Static Line Cable" [or designated "D Ring" (predesignated AFTER "SAFETY INSPECTION" by your JumpMaster), if you are in a Helicopter]

"CHECK STATIC LINE!"
[meaning CHECK your STATIC LINE connector, to make absolutely certain that it is attached onto the Static Line Connector Cable (nothing else), that is is CLOSED again and LOCKED with the securing "Cotterpin" and the Cotterpin legs have then been bent BY YOU......Your "STATIC LINE" is your "Umbilical Cord" to your Mothership].

"SOUND OFF for STATIC LINE CHECK!"
(starting at the REAR of the line of U.S. Paratroopers (each line is called a "STICK" of U.S. Paratrooper) ...which the REAR of the Stick is near the FRONT of the Aircraft), the U.S. Paratroopers SCREAM "OK" (only IF their individual STATIC LINE is properly secured) then SLAP the right rear THIGH of the U.S. Paratrooper immediately in front of their self....until EACH U.S. Paratrooper has relayed the "OK" forward to the Chief JUMPMASTER (who stands near the "JUMP DOOR" that you will exit into being a SKYSOLDIER). IF the relay does NOT come forward, Assistant JUMPMASTERS will locate the stoppage of the "OK" and assist you to secure your STATIC LINE (IF they can NOT, they will have you retake your seat AND secure your seatbelt (for safety).

"EQUIPMENT CHECK!"
(All U.S. Paratroopers then fully check the securing and readiness of the FRONT of ALL of their own Gear, then

check the securing and readiness of ALL of the Gear on the REAR of the U.S. Paratrooper directly IN FRONT of your own self)

"SOUND OFF for EQUIPMENT CHECK!"
(starting at the REAR of the line of U.S. Paratroopers (each line is called a "STICK" of U.S. Paratrooper) ...which the REAR of the Stick is near the FRONT of the Aircraft), the U.S. Paratroopers SCREAM "OK" (only IF their individual EQUIPMENT and that of their BROTHER in front of them is properly secured) then SLAP the right rear THIGH of the U.S. Paratrooper immediately in front of their self....until EACH U.S. Paratrooper has relayed the "OK" forward to the Chief JUMPMASTER (who stands near the "JUMP DOOR" that you will exit into being a SKYSOLDIER). IF the relay does NOT come forward, Assistant JUMPMASTERS will locate the stoppage of the "OK" and assist you to secure/ready your EQUIPMENT (IF they can NOT, they will have you retake your seat AND secure your seatbelt (for safety).

"SHUFFLE TO THE DOOR!"
The FIRST "JUMPER" in the STICK (the SKYSOLDIER closest to the "JUMP DOOR") shuffles his feet (using "The AIRBORNE SHUFFLE") toward the JUMP DOOR, still facing the REAR of the Aircraft. All U.S. Paratroopers behind him Airborne Shuffle up closely behind the "1st MAN in the Stick", in READY position.

"STAND IN THE DOOR!"
The "1st MAN in the Stick" turns toward the "JUMP DOOR" (Eyes OPEN looking straight forward and outward, NEVER downward!), shuffles directly to the "JUMP DOOR", placing his/her HANDS cupped onto both sides of the (OPEN) "JUMP DOOR", with the foot closest to the FRONT of the Aircraft FORWARD of your other foot, Foot on the "JUMP STEP" (door edge) half IN the Aircraft, and half OUT of the Aircraft. You then WATCH the "JUMP SIGNAL" light (it is RIGHT beside the "JUMP DOOR" and toward the REAR of the Aircraft) .....Do NOT JUMP until you are TOLD TO "GO!" by the Chief JUMPMASTER  (AND do NOT Jump until the JUMP SIGNAL light is GREEN!)...IF the JUMP SIGNAL is RED, or there is NO SIGNAL light at all, it means UNSAFE to JUMP (unless your U.S. Paratroopers have specifically been told (LOUDLY, of course) that the Pilots have activated the GREEN JUMP SIGNAL but there is a MALFUNCTION....a circumstance I never observed in 36 years 12 days Military Service).

"GO!"
GREEN "JUMP SIGNAL" Light is GREEN! (meaning SAFE location and conditions of Aircraft to make a JUMP "EXIT"), Chief JUMPMASTER has ordered you loudly "GO!" you VIGOROUSLY spring up, OUT, and away from the body of the Aircraft....becoming the SOLO PILOT of a U.S. Parachute...finest gear in the World!

What next?

"IMPACT SHOCK"... (don't worry, you will survive).....With a normal length "STATIC LINE" your "MAIN Parachute" will begin to be pulled from your "MAIN Parachute Cannister" (its on your Back) sixteen feet OUTSIDE the Aircraft (and now BELOW the Aircraft, due to "Gravity"), when this happens you will begin slowing down from the speed of the Aircraft and from the speed of falling from the Aircraft....this is GOOD! You will feel "Impact Shock" somewhat, due to the OPENING of your Parachute; IF you properly DONNED your Parachute Harness and adjusted it properly, tightly, IMPACT SHOCK is very minimal and a SIGN OF SUCCESS....IF you were in a HIGH Performance fast Cargo Jet ("C-141" as an example) you will likely have an "extended STATIC LINE" (twice as long) which allows you thirtytwo feet before your "Main Parachute" begins to be pulled out of your "Main Parachute Cannister". ALSO...as soon as you exited the Aircraft, YOU began LOUDLY counting outloud EVERY SECOND: "One Thousand, Two Thousand, Three Thousand, Four Thousand, Five Thousand, Six Thousand!"....upon reaching SIX THOUSAND you should have felt whatever "impact shock" there will be, AND you should have "GOOD SILK" (a properly  OPEN "PARACHUTE CANOPY" over your head)....LOOK UP at your Parachute CANOPY (The Cloth) and VERIFY by sight, that it IS properly "Deployed".

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7 FEBRUARY 2007

PROPER 1st "Point Of Contact" with the surface! (the "Ball" of the Feet)

Make NOTE: FEET & KNEES tightly TOGETHER! KNEES Bent somewhat!

2nd "Point Of Contact" with surface (the "Heel" of your foot)

3rd "Point Of Contact" with surface (outside of "Calf" muscle)

4th "Point Of Contact" (outside of "Thigh" muscle)...your side WITHOUT long weapons!

Make NOTE of "SKI TURN" position!   HANDS & ELBOWS Together, as much as possible!

5th "Point Of Contact" [Your "Pushup" muscle (Latissimus Dorsi); to protect your Ribs & Spine]

Catching his breath!

1st LT "Dragon JEB" signals for his U.S. AIRBORNE brothers

U.S. Paratroopers come a running!

U.S. AIRBORNE Squad forms Defensive Perimeter on U.S. Paratrooper as they get gear off

SGT "Sparky Parsons" signals "OK" for next STICK of U.S. Paratroopers to Jump!

U.S. 2nd Bn, U.S. 21st SFG-RPA "SURGEON" (Doc PETERSON) is standing by the DZ

Demonstration (by Expert) of IMPROPER landing "1st Point Of Contact" (feel & knees apart)

What NOT to do!

Our "Uncle Sugar" (Uncle SAM) provides good choices for Lunch after the AIRBORNE drop