A leap of faith: 36th CRG conducts jump training

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Courtney Witt
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --  A leap of faith is all it takes for members of the 36th Contingency Response Group during their three-week Proficiency Jump Training that started April 6. 

Airmen from the 736th Security Forces Squadron 36th Mobility Readiness Squadron, and the 644th Combat Communications Squadron are scheduled to perform more than 72 jumps out of cargo aircraft like the C-130 Hercules and C-17 Globemaster III so the Airmen remain proficient in their airborne certification. 

"The 36th CRG has many new and inexperienced jumpers," said Colonel Daniel Settergren, 36th CRG commander. "The biggest part is to increase proficiency so they will be able to operate safely when needed." 

With eight Active Duty and two National Guard units, the 36th CRG is one of two Air Force units that are airborne qualified, the other being the 86th CRG at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. 

"The purpose for being airborne qualified is so we can jump into an area to conduct an assessment of the airfield with Army during a Global War on Terrorism or Humanitarian mission," said Colonel Settergren. "As an important first step in the 36th CRG's 'open the airbase' mission, the team surveys the airfield environment and determines its suitability for air operations." 

Before each training mission, Airmen engage in some final procedural briefings to include landing techniques and safety. 

To prepare for the training mission, the Airmen participate in various briefing and exercises to reinforce the training they have received throughout their career. 

"A few hours prior to the jump, we will go through the Sustained Airborne Training," said Technical Sgt. Shaunn Hummel, Aircrew Flight Equipment Craftsman. "This training helps build muscle memory and keeps them thinking till the jump." 

After these exercises, airborne crew meets with their Jump Master, Senior Master Sgt. Paul Schaaf, for further instructions. 

The Airmen then rally up their gear and head out to the airfield where a C-130 Hercules awaits for their departure. The Airmen load single file onto the back of the plane and take a seat. As the plane takes flight, the Jump Master gives the Airmen thumbs up to check if they are ok. He then proceeds to give last minute instructions to help keep them motivated and focused. 

With six minutes to their destination, Senior Schaaf, positioned at the rear of the plane, will signal to the Airmen to stand and shouts back various last minute equipment checks and commands for the team to echo. When the C-130 Hercules reaches 1,000 feet and 130knots, the troop door begins to open. With one minute out till the drop zone, Airmen slowly walk out to the edge and wait for the Jump Master signal to go. 

"Thirty seconds...go go go," shouts Jump Master Schaaf. 

A few seconds behind one another, every Airmen of the 36th CRG team had vacated the plane in less than one minute and were airborne, steering their parachutes toward the drop-zone. 

Airmen of the 36th CRG are required, at a minimum, to jump once a quarter. However, the goal is to jump at least once a month to maintain proficiency according to Colonel Settergren.