Any Military Parachutists here?

Allen_Raiford

New member
U.S. Army Pathfinder, 1983-1987
100+ jumps from various airplanes, helicopters, towers, and balloons.

[This message has been edited by Allen_Raiford (edited March 11, 2000).]
 
PJ,
I was with the 11th Aviation Group, serving the entire 7th Corps on Germany. We were one of the very few Airborne units in Germany.
My MOS was 11B2Y

[This message has been edited by Allen_Raiford (edited March 11, 2000).]
 
Allan, I was a 101 pathfinder from 92 to 96. First in, Last out. Unless it turned into forced in and left out :D Take care of yourself.

Pete

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Walk softly and carry a big stick (Yeah I know I stole it)
 
Pete,
Oh yes, the Pathfinder motto: First In, Last out!
I always figured that if I was last out, it was because the pilots forgot me.
Check out my webpage in my bio.
Semper Primus!
 
I started my enlistment at the 82nd Airborne Ft. Bragg, NC
Then went to Ranger school. Finished my tour at A Co. 75th Infantry 2nd Ranger Battalion

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Svt
RKBA!
Member, Veterans of Foreign Wars, NRA, GOA
My Website

"Rangers Lead the Way"
 
300th Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol Co., German Army, 1989-1993.
Basic training at the International LRRP School in Weingarten, Germany. Stationed with the 300th in Fritzlar, Hesse, Germany after that. That was back when the service rifle of choice was still the G3 in 7.62x51 instead of the fancy new plastic G36 in .223.

I've met quite a few of the US Ranger/Airborne types on field exercises and occasional nights out on the town. Even got my US Basic Parachutist wings...acquired during a joint jump day with some fun-loving Rangers. They got ours in return. Seems like collecting foreign wings was a hobby back then...some of our folks had in excess of a half dozen.

Ah, those were the days. Now I'm flying a desk. <sigh>
 
Airborne here !!! Got to also train in Alaska before going where we could not say we had been . Took part in Operation Polar Strike . 54 below on the ground . 43 pounds of main chute and reserve . About 70 pounds of gear counting M-14 and ammo . No one was allowed live ammo on maneuvers . Considering the " wildlife " in Alaska everyone had some . It was a joint deal with Canadian Airborne . Princess Pat's Canadian Light Infantry and The Queens Rifles . A good time was had by all . There were 70 vehicles at the beginning . After the first day only 4 were servicable . It was so cold that back at Fort Richardson 2 dogs were spotted trying to jump start a cat so they could chase it to keep warm .

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TOM SASS MEMBER AMERICAN LEGION MEMBER NRA MEMBER
 
I helped keep the airborne airborne as a parachute rigger stationed at Ft. Bragg. Dozens of jumps and nearly a dozen different aircraft.
 
SVT,
We got our 'chutes from K-town. It was a long drive from where we were in Schwabisch Hall. Don't recall bar hopping there. I did date a Rigger chick for a while. Rode up there on my motorcycle nearly every weekend.

Lendringser,
We partnered with the 251st Fallschirmjaeger Bn in Calw. Made many jumps with them. Got the German wings. Also jumped with the Belgians (from a balloon) and got their wings too. It was a lot of fun, and much drinking was done.


TOMBERGSTR,
43 below is pretty cold. My last jump was in January, 1987 in Germany. It was minus 20. I jumpmastered a C130. I would reckon the wind chill (hanging out the door) to be at least 50 below. It was COLD.

Stang,
Riggers are fine folks. Had a lot of fun with the ones who serviced our unit. I can't imagine any busier riggers than the ones at Bragg.



[This message has been edited by Allen_Raiford (edited March 11, 2000).]
 
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