Just wondering if anyone has made a jump from a C-17? I left 1st Batt. right before the C-17 started seeing service, but a freind of mine from force recon told me that jumper's had been killed and they stopped using the C-17 for airborne operations.
Any comments?
Ranger_DC
Sua Sponte
B Co. 1/75 '92-'94
C-17
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Spartan
Not I
I have not jumped the C-17 myself. However, this was the first time it was used in a combat operation by paratroopers:
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C-17 crews conduct historic airborne operations in Northern Iraq
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (USTCNS) --- Under the cover of darkness, almost 1,000 "Sky Soldiers" of the 173rd Airborne Brigade parachuted from C-17 "Globemasters", into the Kurdish-controlled area of Northern Iraq -- the first-ever C-17 combat insertion of paratroopers.
"This is a historic milestone in the evolution of the C-17," said Gen. John W. Handy, commander of U.S. Transportation Command and Air Mobility Command.
"The C-17, and more importantly the crews that fly it, have proven their mettle repeatedly while operating in the most demanding environments imaginable throughout the Global War Against Terrorism. Now this workhorse has proven its capabilities in a combat airborne operation."
The C-17 has been used many times in airborne training missions and was instrumental in humanitarian airdrops of food rations over Afghanistan, but this is the first time the Globemaster has been used as a platform to insert paratroopers during combat.
Aircraft and aircrews from Charleston AFB, S.C., and McChord AFB, Wash.,
as well as planners from the Tanker Airlift Control Center at Scott AFB, ILL., worked closely with U.S. Central Command to execute the mission.
"This is just one more example of how our forces work seamlessly in the joint environment," said Handy. "Our military has made great strides, not only in equipment and technology in the last decade, but also in the way we train, plan and execute - maximizing the capabilities that each of the
services bring to the fight."
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C-17 crews conduct historic airborne operations in Northern Iraq
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (USTCNS) --- Under the cover of darkness, almost 1,000 "Sky Soldiers" of the 173rd Airborne Brigade parachuted from C-17 "Globemasters", into the Kurdish-controlled area of Northern Iraq -- the first-ever C-17 combat insertion of paratroopers.
"This is a historic milestone in the evolution of the C-17," said Gen. John W. Handy, commander of U.S. Transportation Command and Air Mobility Command.
"The C-17, and more importantly the crews that fly it, have proven their mettle repeatedly while operating in the most demanding environments imaginable throughout the Global War Against Terrorism. Now this workhorse has proven its capabilities in a combat airborne operation."
The C-17 has been used many times in airborne training missions and was instrumental in humanitarian airdrops of food rations over Afghanistan, but this is the first time the Globemaster has been used as a platform to insert paratroopers during combat.
Aircraft and aircrews from Charleston AFB, S.C., and McChord AFB, Wash.,
as well as planners from the Tanker Airlift Control Center at Scott AFB, ILL., worked closely with U.S. Central Command to execute the mission.
"This is just one more example of how our forces work seamlessly in the joint environment," said Handy. "Our military has made great strides, not only in equipment and technology in the last decade, but also in the way we train, plan and execute - maximizing the capabilities that each of the
services bring to the fight."
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harrisn
I made 3 or 4 jumps from them while in 1/75. If I recall right, I think I AJ'd a 81 bundled on one too... But to tell the truth, I can't remember for certain anymore 'cause that jump may have from a Big Nasty.... lol!!!
All I can remember is that "F"ing load had his countdown totally screwed... light went green with a good six feet still between my bundle and the door, and mortar bundles don't move nor do they fit through in a hurry!
Needless to say, the majority of my 1st pass hoahs got an extra lap 'round the DZ thanks to that one, and my boys got to hump the system an extra 800 or so meters back to the PI for assembly!!!!
Come to think of it, it must been a C-5 on that jump after all... Doors on the Big Nasty are extremely narrow when mere half inches are the measure for success!
The C-17's are nice though, at least from my peace-time 1st BN perspective... lotsa room with good AC (makes in-flight rigs a sinche), cool ass-lounge chairs for joe to sit on (almost always driving higher to allow hanging rucks while enroute), and fewer twists from windshear during exit (no on-line white light searches for some dumbasses 9mil).... God Damn I miss Battalion!
Hope the 17's are performing well under these more serious circumstances of present. Not sure of their official safety record though,... I do seem to recall them being restricted from Airborne operations for a little while, but can't be sure of it. Things seem to fade from memory more quickly than I prefer.
Kill for peace!!!!
Nate Harris,
formerly SSG, 1/75 Mortars 95-01.
All I can remember is that "F"ing load had his countdown totally screwed... light went green with a good six feet still between my bundle and the door, and mortar bundles don't move nor do they fit through in a hurry!
Needless to say, the majority of my 1st pass hoahs got an extra lap 'round the DZ thanks to that one, and my boys got to hump the system an extra 800 or so meters back to the PI for assembly!!!!
Come to think of it, it must been a C-5 on that jump after all... Doors on the Big Nasty are extremely narrow when mere half inches are the measure for success!
The C-17's are nice though, at least from my peace-time 1st BN perspective... lotsa room with good AC (makes in-flight rigs a sinche), cool ass-lounge chairs for joe to sit on (almost always driving higher to allow hanging rucks while enroute), and fewer twists from windshear during exit (no on-line white light searches for some dumbasses 9mil).... God Damn I miss Battalion!
Hope the 17's are performing well under these more serious circumstances of present. Not sure of their official safety record though,... I do seem to recall them being restricted from Airborne operations for a little while, but can't be sure of it. Things seem to fade from memory more quickly than I prefer.
Kill for peace!!!!
Nate Harris,
formerly SSG, 1/75 Mortars 95-01.
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RangerDC
1st "130 jump"
LOL, I wouldn't trade my 1st jump, which was in a '130' for anything either. I appreciate the feedback. I'd like to make a jump from one.
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Ranger Manges
- Ranger
- Posts: 10
- Joined: June 14th, 2003, 2:23 pm
Re: C-17
Jumped and JM'ed several C-17's while at the 101 PFDR's, has several limitations (which I will not post here) and requires a static line extention or the new universal static line. A very nice door postion and jump platform and all kinds of room inside.Ranger_DC wrote:Just wondering if anyone has made a jump from a C-17? I left 1st Batt. right before the C-17 started seeing service, but a freind of mine from force recon told me that jumper's had been killed and they stopped using the C-17 for airborne operations.
Any comments?
Ranger_DC
Sua Sponte
B Co. 1/75 '92-'94
Bco 1/75 80-85; RI in Dahlonega 85-90; Co H, 122 LRSU 90-92; 1-501 ABN 93-96; Commanded C 1-502 and Pathfinders at 101st 99-02; Ground Plans Officer, CAOC Al Udied AFB 03-04