cadet_scarlet
06-06-2003, 05:19 PM
I posted this in the general forum and was advised to post this here. I also understand that there are a bunch of variables in the possible answers to these questions, but I tried to be specific.
I've been working on a book project for over a year-and-a-half now, and I've been going around asking research questions for just as long. The book is about counter-terrorism, and I've got a lot of questions about HALO jumping. If anyone with experience or a good place to guide me, please respond. If I'm violating any OPSEC restrictions or anything like that, excuse my ignorance and let me know.
Here we go...
(This would be for an overland jump, for a several-day long recon)
Ground:
-In the planning stage, how much time would go into planning just the jump?
-What would necessitate a HALO jump?
-What determines the exit altitude?
-What determines the opening altitude?
-How far would a drop zone be from the landing zone?
-Accepting that the mission and jump is already planned, what is the normal "pre-flight" routine the jump team would go through?
-Gear checks?
-Gear gathering?
-Any physical activity? etc.
-What kind of special gear do you carry?
-Gloves?
-Boots?
-Oxygen?
-Where is the oxygen "stored", and how much?
-Is there any special mix of O2 that is used?
-Radioes?
-Where is your web gear (or whatever kind of gear you carry on the ground) stored? Do you wear it during the jump?
-How are weapons normally secured? (Example: SOPMOD M4)
In flight:
-While in flight, flying to the DZ, what is the normal "pre-jump" routine?
-How much time before the jump is the door is opened?
-Additional gear checks?
-O2 checks?
-How much time between door opening and Green Light?
-What kinds of things happen during that time?
-What does the Jumpmaster and/or Loadmaster do during that time?
-How much time between "Red Light" and "Green Light"?
-How does the team "stack" on the ramp?
Freefall:
-What is the general sensation of freefall?
-How long are you normally in freefall?
-What kind of instruments do you use during freefall (compasses? jump timers? altimeters? 02 levels?)
-How are the instruments set up?
-What kind of things do you do in freefall? (Navigation, etc.)
-How do you maneuver your body in freefall?
-Is there any kind of "team formation" in freefall? (No, I'm not talking about Golden Knights or Leapfrogs kindsa things)
-How does the team communicate in freefall? What things would need communication?
-(With full gear) What is you normal/average Terminal Velocity?
Under canopy:
-Where is the rip cord for the main chute located for a RamAir chute?
-How much pressure does it take to pull it?
-How long does it take for a RamAir chute to open at speed?
-What is the sensation of an opening chute?
-At such an extremely low altitude, do you even carry a reserve chute? (I've heard of people going without them, since they "don't have time to enable them, and they're extra weight)
-How long are you normally under canopy?
-How do the controls of a RamAir chute work?
On the ground:
-How do you prepare for a landing? Is it anything like a static-line PLF?
-What kind of movement are you doing with the controls upon landing?
-Once on the ground, and stopped, what is the routine on the ground, as far as transitioning from the jump to the ground?
-What do you do with the jump gear? (Stow it? Where?)
-How long does it normally take to completely tranisition from landing to movement? (I mean all of the jump gear gone, and your land gear out, weapon ready, and ready to move)
This has been on my mind for awhile, and if no one can respond, I'm sorry for taking up so much space.
Thanks.
I've been working on a book project for over a year-and-a-half now, and I've been going around asking research questions for just as long. The book is about counter-terrorism, and I've got a lot of questions about HALO jumping. If anyone with experience or a good place to guide me, please respond. If I'm violating any OPSEC restrictions or anything like that, excuse my ignorance and let me know.
Here we go...
(This would be for an overland jump, for a several-day long recon)
Ground:
-In the planning stage, how much time would go into planning just the jump?
-What would necessitate a HALO jump?
-What determines the exit altitude?
-What determines the opening altitude?
-How far would a drop zone be from the landing zone?
-Accepting that the mission and jump is already planned, what is the normal "pre-flight" routine the jump team would go through?
-Gear checks?
-Gear gathering?
-Any physical activity? etc.
-What kind of special gear do you carry?
-Gloves?
-Boots?
-Oxygen?
-Where is the oxygen "stored", and how much?
-Is there any special mix of O2 that is used?
-Radioes?
-Where is your web gear (or whatever kind of gear you carry on the ground) stored? Do you wear it during the jump?
-How are weapons normally secured? (Example: SOPMOD M4)
In flight:
-While in flight, flying to the DZ, what is the normal "pre-jump" routine?
-How much time before the jump is the door is opened?
-Additional gear checks?
-O2 checks?
-How much time between door opening and Green Light?
-What kinds of things happen during that time?
-What does the Jumpmaster and/or Loadmaster do during that time?
-How much time between "Red Light" and "Green Light"?
-How does the team "stack" on the ramp?
Freefall:
-What is the general sensation of freefall?
-How long are you normally in freefall?
-What kind of instruments do you use during freefall (compasses? jump timers? altimeters? 02 levels?)
-How are the instruments set up?
-What kind of things do you do in freefall? (Navigation, etc.)
-How do you maneuver your body in freefall?
-Is there any kind of "team formation" in freefall? (No, I'm not talking about Golden Knights or Leapfrogs kindsa things)
-How does the team communicate in freefall? What things would need communication?
-(With full gear) What is you normal/average Terminal Velocity?
Under canopy:
-Where is the rip cord for the main chute located for a RamAir chute?
-How much pressure does it take to pull it?
-How long does it take for a RamAir chute to open at speed?
-What is the sensation of an opening chute?
-At such an extremely low altitude, do you even carry a reserve chute? (I've heard of people going without them, since they "don't have time to enable them, and they're extra weight)
-How long are you normally under canopy?
-How do the controls of a RamAir chute work?
On the ground:
-How do you prepare for a landing? Is it anything like a static-line PLF?
-What kind of movement are you doing with the controls upon landing?
-Once on the ground, and stopped, what is the routine on the ground, as far as transitioning from the jump to the ground?
-What do you do with the jump gear? (Stow it? Where?)
-How long does it normally take to completely tranisition from landing to movement? (I mean all of the jump gear gone, and your land gear out, weapon ready, and ready to move)
This has been on my mind for awhile, and if no one can respond, I'm sorry for taking up so much space.
Thanks.