071A0123 17 March 2009

SUSTAIN AIRBORNE TRAINING FOR THE T-11 PERSONNEL PARACHUTE SYSTEM

Prior to Pre-jump Training, place the jumpers into a formation that allows the jumpmaster to easily control them and make on the spot corrections. The extended rectangular formation and the horseshoe formation are the two preferred formations. Prior to placing the jumpers into formation, ensure the jumpmaster team inspects the ballistic helmets, ID tags and ID cards. The jumpmasters or the safeties can accomplish this inspection. Although Pre-jump can be given by anyone on the jumpmaster team, the primary jumpmaster can delegate authority but not responsibility. Holding, running, one riser slips, and other information can be inserted into Pre-jump as the Airborne Commander sees fit. Although Pre-jump training should be tailored to fit the mission, emergency landings will always be covered due to the many variables involved with emergency situations; i.e. if jumpers have to conduct an emergency bailout over unfamiliar terrain. Pre-jump training is performance-oriented training and the jumpmaster team must ensure that the jumpers are performing the actions as they are being covered. During Pre-jump training, use the “HIT IT” exercise as often as needed to keep the jumpers actively involved. Jumpmasters will refer to their unit ASOPs for additional guidance. When Jumping the T-11 parachute from rotary wing aircraft the time between exit and full deployment is 8 seconds. Due to the longer opening time you will extend your count from a 6000 count to an 8000 count.

1. The Five Points of Performance:

a. The first point of performance is PROPER EXIT, CHECK BODY POSITION AND COUNT. Jumpers “HIT IT.” Upon exiting the aircraft, snap into a good tight body position. Keep your eyes open, chin on your chest, elbows tight into your sides, hands on the end of the reserve, with your fingers spread. Bend forward at the waist keeping your feet and knees together, knees locked to the rear and count to six thousand.

b. At the end of your six thousand count, immediately go into your second point of performance, CHECK CANOPY AND GAIN CANOPY CONTROL. When jumping the T-11 series parachute, reach up to the elbow locked position and secure the front set of risers in each hand, simultaneously conduct a 360-degree check of your canopy. Your slider should be fully extended and begin to slide down the suspension lines. If, during your second point of performance, you can not raise your head enough to check canopy, you must compare your rate of decent with fellow jumpers. If you find that you have twists, reach up and grasp a set of risers with each hand, thumbs down, knuckles to the rear. Pull the risers apart and begin a vigorous bicycling motion. When the last twist comes out, check canopy and immediately gain canopy control.

c. Your third point of performance is KEEP A SHARP LOOKOUT DURING YOUR ENTIRE DESCENT. Remember the three rules of the air and repeat them after me. Always look before you slip, always slip in the opposite direction to avoid collisions, and the lower jumper always has the right of way. Avoid fellow jumpers all the way to the ground and maintain a 25-foot separation when jumping the T-11 series parachute. At the end of your third point of performance, release all appropriate equipment tie downs.

d. This brings you to your fourth point of performance, which is PREPARE TO LAND. At approximately 200 feet AGL, look below you to ensure there are no fellow jumpers and lower your equipment. When jumping the T-11 series parachute you will slip into the wind at approximately 200 feet AGL. If the wind is blowing from your left, reach up with both hands and grasp the Left set of risers and pull them deep into your chest. If the wind is blowing from your front, reach up with both hands and grasp the Front set of risers and pull them deep into your chest. If the wind is blowing from your right, reach up with both hands and grasp the Right set of risers and pull them deep into your chest. If the wind is blowing from your rear, reach up with both hands and grasp the Rear set of risers and pull them deep into your chest. After you have slipped into the wind, you will assume a landing attitude by keeping your feet and knees together, knees slightly bent, elbows tight into your sides, chin on your chest and your eyes open.

e. The fifth point of performance is “LAND.” You will make a proper parachute landing fall (PLF) by hitting all five points of contact. Touch them and repeat them after me. 1) BALLS OF THE FEET. 2) CALF. 3) THIGH. 4) BUTTOCKS. 5) PULL UP MUSCLE. You will never attempt to make a stand up landing. Remain on the ground and activate both of your canopy release assemblies using either the “hand to shoulder” method or the “hand to assist” method, the “hand to assist” method being the most preferred. With the thumb and index finger of one hand, pull out and down on the Safety Clip. Form a fist with the thumb exposed and then insert your thumb into the Cable Loop. Turn your head in the opposite direction. Then assisting with the other hand, pull out and down on the Cable Loop, simultaneously sounding off with “Riser”. Repeat this process with the opposite canopy release assembly. Once both canopy release assemblies have been activated, you will place your weapon into operation and remove the parachute harness.

2. Recovery of Equipment.

There are two methods:

Tactical - Once you are out of the parachute harness, remove all air items from the Equipment Rings. Unsnap and unzip the aviator’s kit big and roll it two-thirds of the way down. Place the parachute harness inside the aviator’s kit bag, with the smooth side facing up. Move to the canopy and secure the risers. Place both risers inside the Aviators Kit Bag under the parachute harness. Remain on a knee and begin pulling the suspension lines and canopy to the aviator’s kit bag, stuffing them into the aviator’s kit bag as you go. Place the Drogue Parachute on top of the main canopy and snap, do not zip, the aviator’s kit bag. Secure the reserve parachute to the aviator’s kit bag. Secure all equipment, conduct a 360-degree police of your area and move to your assembly area. Non-Tactical - Once you are out of the parachute harness, remove all air items from the Equipment Rings. Unsnap and unzip the aviator’s kit big and roll it two-thirds of the way down. Place the parachute harness inside the aviator’s kit bag, with the smooth side facing up. Move to the canopy and secure the risers. Place both risers inside the Aviators Kit Bag under the parachute harness. Elongate the suspension lines and canopy removing all debris. Once you reach the bridle line, secure the Drogue Parachute and Deployment Sleeve in one hand and begin to figure eight roll your canopy and suspension lines all the way to the aviator’s kit bag. Place the canopy and suspension lines in the aviator’s kit bag leaving the Deployment Sleeve and Drogue Parachute on the top. Snap, do not zip the aviator’s kit bag. Connect the reserve parachute to the aviator’s kit bag handles with the connector snaps. You will then secure all equipment, throw the aviator’s kit bag over your head with the reserve parachute facing forward and conduct a 360-degree check of your area, locate the nearest turn-in point and move to it.

3. Malfunctions:

There are two types of malfunctions, a complete malfunction and partial malfunction. A complete malfunction provides you no lift capability; therefore you must activate your reserve parachute. There are several types of partial malfunctions and actions for each. If you have a semi-inversion, squid, cigarette roll or a complete inversion with damage to the canopy or suspension lines, you must activate your reserve parachute. If you have a complete inversion with no damage to the canopy or suspension lines, do not activate your reserve parachute. If you have damaged suspension lines, blown section or gore, you must compare your rate of descent with your fellow jumpers. If you are falling faster than your fellow jumpers, you will activate your reserve parachute using the Pull Drop Method. If you are not falling faster, maintain what you have.

4. Activation of the T-11 Reserve Parachute:

To activate the T-11 RESERVE Parachute; you will use the “PULL DROP METHOD.” “JUMPERS HIT IT.” Maintain a good tight body position. Grasp the rip cord handle with either hand. Throw your head back to the rear. Pull out on the rip cord handle and drop it. Your reserve parachute will activate. Ensure neither hand is in front of the reserve parachute as it deploys.

5. Towed Parachutist:

“JUMPERS HIT IT.” If you become a towed jumper and are being towed by your universal static line modified and are unconscious, you will be retrieved inside the aircraft. If you are conscious, Maintain a good tight body position with both hands covering the rip cord handle and an attempt will be made to retrieve you inside the aircraft. As you near the paratroop door, DO NOT REACH FOR US, continue to protect your ripcord handle. If you cannot be retrieved, your universal static line modified will be cut. Once you feel yourself falling free from the aircraft, immediately activate your reserve parachute using the pull drop method. If you are being towed by your equipment, regardless of whether you are conscious or unconscious, that item of equipment will be cut immediately and your main parachute will deploy.

NOTE: If you are being towed from a rotary wing aircraft, maintain a good tight body position and protect your ripcord handle. The aircraft will slowly descend to the DZ, come to a hover and the jumpmaster will free you from the aircraft.

6. Entanglements:

“JUMPERS HIT IT. CHECK CANOPY AND GAIN CANOPY CONTROL.” If you see another jumper approaching, immediately attempt to slip away. If you cannot slip away assume a spread eagle position and attempt to bounce off the jumper’s canopy and or suspension lines and immediately slip away. If you pass through the suspension lines and you do become entangled, snap into a modified position of attention. With either hand protect your Ripcord Handle and with your opposite hand attempt to weave your way out of the suspension lines the same way you entered, once clear immediately slip away. If you become entangled and are jumping the T-11 parachute, the higher jumper will climb down to the lower jumper using the hand under hand method. Once both jumpers are even, face each other and grasp each other’s left Main Lift Web. Both jumpers will discuss which PLF to execute. Both jumpers will conduct the same PLF. Neither jumper will execute a front PLF. Both jumpers will continue to observe both canopies. If one canopy collapses, neither jumper will activate their reserve parachute as one T-11 series parachute can safely deliver two combat equipped jumpers to the ground. If both canopies should collapse, both jumpers will immediately turn away, in order to create a clear path and activate their reserve parachute using the pull drop method. If you should find yourself on another jumper’s canopy, double time off and slip away. Remember to stay away from the vents located at all four corners of the canopy. Should you fall through the vent stay where you are and be prepared to execute a proper PLF.

7. Emergency landings:

There are three types of emergency landings: Tree Landing, Wire Landing and Water Landing. I will address the tree landing first:

a. Tree Landing: If you are drifting towards the trees, immediately slip away. If you cannot slip away and you have lowered you equipment, look below you to ensure there are no fellow jumpers below you and jettison your equipment making a mental note of where it lands. If you have not lowered your equipment, keep it on you for extra protection as you pass through the trees. At approximately 200 feet Above Ground Level (AGL), assume a good landing attitude by keeping your feet and knees together, knees slightly bent, chin on your chest, eyes open, your hands in front of your face with your elbows high. Be prepared to execute a PLF if you pass through the trees. If you get hung up in the trees and you do not feel you can safely lower yourself to the ground, stay where you are and wait for assistance. If you decide to climb down, jettison all unneeded equipment. Ensure that you maintain your Advanced Combat Helmet /Ballistic Helmet. Activate the quick release in your waistband. With either hand apply inward pressure to the Rip Cord Assembly. With the opposite hand remove the top tuck tab. Maintain steady inward pressure and with the opposite hand insert it behind the Rip Cord Assembly and apply inward pressure. Grasp the Ripcord Handle with the opposite hand and pull it and drop it. With both hands control the activation of the reserve parachute toward the ground ensuring that all suspension lines are completely deployed. Disconnect the left connector snap and rotate it down and to the right. Attach the left connector snap to the Triangle Link on your right side. Activate the quick release in the chest strap and completely remove the chest strap from the chest strap friction adapter. Grasp the Main Lift Web with either hand below the Canopy Release Assembly and with the other hand activate the leg strap ejector snaps and climb down the outside of the reserve parachute. NOTE: Caution must be taken when climbing down the T-11R Suspension Lines because of the slippery coating applied to the Suspension Lines. Remember, when in doubt, stay where you are and wait for assistance.

b. Wire Landing: If you are drifting towards wires, immediately try to slip away. If you cannot slip away, look below you to ensure there are no fellow jumpers below you and jettison your equipment, making a mental note of where it lands. Ensure that you maintain your Advanced Combat Helmet/Ballistic Helmet. Assume a landing attitude by keeping your feet and knees together, exaggerating the bend in your knees, your eyes open, your chin on chest, and your back arched. Place the palms of your hands high on the inside of the front set of risers. When you make contact with the wires, begin a hard rocking motion and attempt to pass through the wires. Be prepared to do a PLF in the event you pass through the wires. If you get hung up in the wires, do not attempt to lower yourself to the ground. Stay where you are and wait for assistance.

c. Water Landing: If you are drifting towards a body of water, immediately try to slip away. If you cannot slip away, look below you to ensure there are no fellow jumpers below you, and lower your equipment. You will also jettison your Advanced Combat Helmet/Ballistic Helmet, making a mental note of where it lands. Activate the quick release in your waistband, disconnect the left connector snap and rotate the reserve parachute to the right. Seat yourself well into the saddle and activate the quick release in the chest strap completely removing the chest strap from the chest strap friction adapter. Regain canopy control. Prior to entering the water assume a landing attitude by keeping your feet and knees together, knees slightly bent and place your hands on the Ejector Snaps for the Leg Straps. When the balls of your feet make contact with the water, activate both Ejector Snaps for the Leg Straps, arch your back, throw your arms above your head and slide out of the parachute harness. Swim upwind or upstream away from the canopy. Be prepared to execute a PLF if the water is shallow.

The next items I will discuss are MISSION ORIENTED items. Since intentional water landings, night operations and operations under AWADS conditions require additional considerations, you must be prepared to brief them to your jumpers.

8. B-7 Life Preserver. When jumping the B-7 life preserver, you will activate the B-7 life preserver prior to assuming a landing attitude while still in the air. You will not jettison any of your equipment. Look below you to ensure there are no fellow jumpers below you and lower your equipment. Assume a landing attitude and be prepared to do a PLF in the event the water is shallow. Once in the water, activate both canopy release assemblies by using the hand to shoulder method or the hand to assist method as described in the procedures for recovering from the drag previously.

9. Night Jump. When jumping at night, always give your canopy an extra look. Maintain noise discipline and a good interval between fellow jumpers. Be prepared to do a PLF because you will hit the ground approximately 5 to 10 seconds before you think you will.

10. AWADS. When jumping under AWADS conditions, do not lower your equipment until you have cleared through the clouds. Do not slip unless you have to do so to avoid a collision. If you have any kind of malfunction, immediately activate your reserve parachute because you cannot compare your rate of descent with that of fellow jumpers.

11. Parachute Landing Falls. At this time we will move to the parachute landing fall platform and execute one satisfactory parachute-landing fall in each of the four directions. Remember to expose the lower three points of contact for the modified parachute-landing fall.

ITEMS TO BE COVERED DURING PRE-JUMP TRAINING

1. FIVE POINTS OF PERFORMANCE 2. RECOVER OF EQUIPMENT 3. MALFUNCTIONS 4. ACTIVATION OF THE RESERVE PARACHUTE 5. TOWED JUMPER PROCEDURES 6. COLLISIONS AND ENTANGLEMENTS 7. EMERGENCY LANDINGS: A. TREE LANDING B. WIRE LANDING C. WATER LANDING 8. MISSION ORIENTED ITEMS A. B-7 LIFE PRESERVER B. NIGHT JUMPS C. AWADS 9. . PARACHUTE LANDING FALLS.