The exercise “FALL WIND 2020” has mobilized nearly 500 Legionnaire paratroopers throughout Balagne for a week. The first phase involved dropping divers of the nautical company at sea from French Air Force helicopters to scout the enemy bastion of the Ile Rousse. After 36 hours of fierce fight in the maquis against opposing force, the […]
Category: Elite Units
Boeing Delivers First MH-47G Chinook Block II Helicopter
On 1 September 2020, during a ceremony at the Boeing Ridley Park, Philadelphia (PA) facility, Boeing delivered the first MH-47G Chinook Block II to the US Army. The US Army appears to stalling the replacement of its current fleet of CH-47F helicopters with the improved CH-47F Chinook Block II, but the US Special Operations Command […]
French Paras Conduct Final Jumps From C-160 Transall Aircraft
The French Air Force’s jump school, École des troupes aéroportées (ETAP), last week conducted the final parachute jumps from the C-160 Transall aircraft as it is retired from service. The Transall C-160 is a military transport aircraft, produced as a joint venture between France and Germany that has been in service for more than […]
Friday Foto
Airborne’s been practicing safe social distancing since before it was cool…. Sky Soldiers of the 173rd Airborne Brigade make their way to an aircraft in preparation for airborne operations. When they jump the Jumpmasters will maintain a one-second interval between jumpers, jumpers will maintain a sharp lookout during descent to avoid fellow jumpers, will slip right […]
The 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion
In honor of National Airborne Day yesterday, and to give credit where it’s due to these other pioneers and unsung heroes… The 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion was nicknamed “Triple Nickles” because of its numerical designation and because 17 of its original 24 “colored test platoon” were from the 92nd Infantry (“Buffalo Soldiers”) Division of the […]
Happy National Airborne Day!
President George W. Bush created National Airborne Day in 2002. It was created to honor all current U.S. Airborne Forces, and to commemorate the first parachute jump of 48 volunteer members of the U.S. Army Parachute Test Platoon on August 16, 1940. After months of restriction due to Covid-19, U.S. Army Paratroopers assigned to 2nd […]
Canadian Army Advanced Warfare Centre Conducts COVID-19 Protocol Parachute Course
Mask up, hook up! Last week Canadian Army members completed the Static Line Square Canopy course with COVID-19 protocols in place at the Canadian Army Advanced Warfare Centre in Trenton, Ontario. Canada entered the airborne world with the creation of two airborne battalions in 1942 that were initially trained at Fort Benning, Georgia, USA, and […]
Friday Foto
Marines with 5th Marine Regiment, assigned to Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Central Command 20.2, change firing position during a live-fire range in Jordan. The training stressed the fundamentals of maneuverability and tested various engagement responses in a simulated combat environment. U.S. Marine Corps photo by LCpl. Robert Kuehn […]
British and US Airborne Forces Strengthen Partnership
British paratroopers have recently jumped with British parachutes from a US Air Force aircraft for the first time, strengthening the ability of British and US airborne forces to operate together. Exercise Pegasus Eagle has seen a C-130J Hercules from USAF’s 37th Airlift Squadron fly into RAF Brize Norton from its base at Ramstein in Germany […]
Friday Foto
10th Special forces Group (Airborne) assists a teammate to scale an escarpment while performing interoperability training with 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, June 18, 2020, at Fort Carson. Photo by Pvt. 1st Class Steven Alger, US Army […]