A coordinated tactical parachute assault is a delicate display of maneuvers that requires every soldier to be in sync from the moment they leave the ground. Organizing a large group of paratroopers inside the belly of a loud aircraft speeding to the jump point is no easy task, and the men and women in any Airborne Division know they must be on-point for every moment of the mission.
Video from the United States Army shows what it takes to get a group of soldiers prepared for such an impressive feat and offers a first-hand look at the impressive teamwork in the moments leading up to the jump.
Video from an 82nd Airborne Division Paratrooper shows the moments leading up to the jump out of a C-17 aircraft onto the Sicily Drop Zone during All American Week 2016. (Sfc. Vin Stephens/U.S. Army)
The group featured in the video is part of the 82nd Airborne Division. The perspective is that of CSM Brian Knight, senior enlisted advisor, 1st Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, who films the sequence of events from a mounted camera.
The team is preparing to jump out of a C-17 aircraft during All American Week 2016, according to the video. Their target is the Sicily Drop Zone.
Check out the entire video below:
In the video, dozens of paratroopers can be seen lining the walls of the massive aircraft. In the first moments, outward personnel are instructed to stand, followed by the inward personnel.
The lead instructor passes on the orders, and the paratroopers answer back in unison before every move.
Video from an 82nd Airborne Division Paratrooper shows the moments leading up to the jump out of a C-17 aircraft onto the Sicily Drop Zone during All American Week 2016. (Sfc. Vin Stephens/U.S. Army)
The soldiers go through a rigorous equipment check, with each paratrooper packed to capacity. Bags hang from their back and front, and the extra weight likely only adds more elements to the already complicated procedure.
“All ok, jumpmaster,” Knight says after the check.
For the next few moments, the paratroopers wait in anticipation as the aircraft approaches the jump zone.
Video from an 82nd Airborne Division Paratrooper shows the moments leading up to the jump out of a C-17 aircraft onto the Sicily Drop Zone during All American Week 2016. (Sfc. Vin Stephens/U.S. Army)
When the aircraft doors open, the roar of the engine and splitting sound of the wind makes it nearly impossible to hear orders. The soldiers stand in line as final preparations are made.
The aircraft, one of the many variations of a Boeing C-17 military transport plane, is used to haul paratroopers, weapons, and military vehicles. A C-17 also carries automobiles from the presidential motorcade, including the Beast, the President’s personal limousine.
The behemoth aircraft has a maximum carrying capacity of more than 170,000 pounds and can carry more than 100 fully-equipped paratroopers during a single mission.
