An Cosantóir

www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE | 15 Vox Pops is a means of delivering both personnel and equipment into an operational area and as such students are taught how to jump with their kit, including rucksacks and weap- ons. Students must complete three 'Hollywood' jumps, without equipment, before progressing on to complete two combat equipment jumps. Carrying equipment adds to the technical nature of the jumps, with students being required to lower their equipment under canopy before landing. The ARW students will later progress to conducting combat equipment night jumps to ensure that this airborne capability can be fully utilised by those employed in operational roles in the unit. Student jumpmasters were busily employed throughout the jump phase of the Young Entry course gaining valuable experience in DZ configuration, weather monitoring, and conducting revision training before each day's jumping. As jump operations commence, each parachutist must undergo a full JMPI ( jumpmaster personnel inspection) before they approach the aircraft. Once onboard, the flight time to 1,500ft takes only a matter of minutes, with the jumpers eagerly awaiting the 'go' from their jumpmaster to exit the aircraft and begin the descent to the DZ. Over the course of the jump phase, and despite some inclement weather, the students managed to safely make their required qualification jumps and earn their military wings. The successful conclusion of these courses has added to the pool of military jumpmasters within the DF and the number of qualified operational parachutists within the ARW. Of course, none of this would have been possible without the support of the highly professional aircrew from No 3 Ops Wing in the Air Corps. Looking forward, the PTS, in partnership with the ARW, intends to run another static line jumpmasters course in 2019, to be followed once again by a young entry course. While priority for places on the YE course will remain with the ARW, other available slots will be open to all DF members, with priority of selection to personnel who have already completed parachute jumps with other militaries or with civilian centres. Notifications on how to apply will be circulated in the New Year. CAPT KEEFE MEEHAN, 2 BTC (200+ JUMPS, FREEFALL COACH) "My experience and jumps to date have been freefall and within a sports environment. The jumpmaster course is a great opportunity to shift focus to the military application of the discipline. In addition to maintaining an operational capability, these courses exercise personnel in confidence and adventure training. There are relatively few other training activities that can replicate the degree to which the student must overcome fear in an environment of controlled risk." COY SGT DECLAN 'DOC' O'CONNELL, CADET SCHOOL (400+ JUMPS) "I completed a Military Static Line (MSL) course in the DFTC in 2004 and also one in Belgium with the Cadet School in 2008 and have had an interest in parachuting ever since. I am currently a student on the Jumpmaster (JM) course and am finding the course content very beneficial and interesting. The JM dictates the aircraft direction and line of flight during the jump run and has sole responsibility for corrections and the release point of all jumpers onboard the aircraft. I found this course very enjoyable, as I enjoy working at a high tempo." PTE COLIN CURRAN, ORD SCH (2,500+ JUMPS) "I competed on the Defence Forces and Irish national teams internationally for four years in world championships and at CISM. I am an accelerated freefall (AFF) instructor, tandem instructor, jumpmaster, freefall coach, senior rigger, and a member of the DF parachute display team. I completed the basic MSL course in 2009 and have since completed advanced parachute courses within the DF. "The SLJM course is very well conducted, with a strong emphasis on safety. The course covers everything from completing a DZ survey to calculating a release point for a stick of parachutists to be dispatched." SGT CIARAN MCCARTNEY (AR), 7 INF BN (900+ JUMPS) "I previously completed the YE course and I am currently on the SLJM course. I have been a member of the Black Knights parachute display team for several years and have completed display jumps into the DFTC, Farmleigh and the Bray air show, to name a few, and I currently hold tandem instructor and freefall coach ratings. The SLJM course has given me an excellent overview of the safety requirements and actions necessary to deploy operational soldiers via parachute."

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