Military personnel require mental and physical robustness to withstand the rigours of military life and specifically, operational tours such as Afghanistan or Iraq. Adventurous Training (AT) is the only way in which the fundamental risk of the unknown can be used to introduce the necessary level of fear to develop adequate fortitude, initiative, and leadership. 4 PARA’s Skydiving expedition to Elsinore, California provided the perfect platform to deliver this. This exercise was created predominantly for a student cohort of junior soldiers within the Battalion, with only one officer deploying and Corporal instructors being utilised from the Red Devils, the premier skydiving team in the UK.
Most pleasing was that all aims and objectives for the trip were achieved, they were: to take 15 students to the USA and conduct the Accelerated Freefall (AFF) course achieving the British Parachute Association ‘A License’ qualification by conducting all 8 levels of AFF and the requisite consolidated jumps, circa 25 jumps each. Also, to promote leadership qualities and raise moral for members of 4 PARA and the Regiment as a whole, promote 4 PARA in a positive light and positively effect recruiting and retention within the Regiment.
On arrival to the Drop Zone, the group watched $10,000 being dropped over Elsinore from 1,000 ft AMSL as an Instagram PR stunt. Some 200 people helped retrieve the money and I’m glad to see 4 PARA were part of this. The initial ground training for the group had already been completed at the Joints Services Parachute Wing in Netheravon back in UK prior to departure but critical to success was ‘tunnel time’, a wind tunnel that replicates freefall (130 mph) to enable a student to master the basic freefall position with an instructor. Due to the Ulysis Grant received all 21 participants were able to receive 10 mins of training which enabled all students to qualify within the timeframe allocated for the trip. The group achieved over 450 jumps in 2 weeks and jumped 3 different aircraft types, this whilst forging friendships with the US military who were also training in Elsinore, and the local civilian parachutists.
On such a trip, it is mandatory to take breaks in the programme to refresh the group so we were able to conduct a trip to Yosemite National Park, completing a 19 mile trail and climbing over the ½ Dome (pictured in the background) which was 8,500ft AMSL. We also visited San Diego staying in the gas light quarter and visiting the Aircraft Carrier, Midway as further military education. Highlights for both trips were witnessing a great white shark in San Diego Bay and seeing a brown bear in the wild in Yosemite.
Funding for such a trip is critical so a particular thank you goes to 16 Air Assault Bde (our higher formation) and The Ulysses Trust for helping to fund such a trip. All told, a fantastic experience for all. Numerous articles and posts on Facebook have followed in addition to a 2 min video being compiled. Recruiting value will be evident as will retention within the unit for those who would like to be considered for Ex Black Skyfall 2020. The word has spread that commitment to the Battalion in terms of attending training night’s and weekends is rewarded by opportunity to participate in such trips. It should also demonstrate that life in the Army Reserve is not only challenging but full of opportunity and variety – particularly in 4 PARA. Every member of the unit is considered a recruiter and within civilian circles, each will recount such a trip and encourage others to join the Army Reserve.
For all participants, this was a trip of a lifetime. The majority of Parachute Regiment soldiers had never parachuted before due to being an Army Reservist (and not a Regular soldier) having not attracted the priority needed to complete the military Basic Parachute Course. Many had never conducted Adventurous Training also due to a lack of opportunity and seniority and many had never been to the US. Funding from many sources allowed the group to complete circa 25 jumps each, all gain a qualification and enjoy other parts of California such as Yosemite National Park and San Diego. The trip served to ‘Recruit and Retain’ for The Parachute Regiment and was deemed a huge success by all.
W A SCARRATT
Maj
OIC Ex Black Skyfall 19
Accounts from Participants
“I would like to thank you for organising the AT expedition to California Oct 2019.
“One of the things I have wanted to do for many years was skydive, having now accomplished this dream is fantastic but to also have achieved my ‘A licence’ is beyond words.
“Over the years I have jumped from countless aircraft, but have always been attached by a static line which would open my parachute for me. One of the things I learned on this trip was to trust the instructors when they assured me, as I was falling at 120 miles per hour, that all I had to do was reach round and pull a small toggle and everything would slow down, which thankfully it did.
“I can honestly say the skydiving AT package was the best AT package I have ever been a part of, it was hard work at times but for the most part it was very very enjoyable and I have recommended it to many people since my return to the UK.
“Due to my training in California I fully intend to pursue this sport for many years to come, myself and 5 other soldiers who were either on the California trip or who were on previous AT Skydiving trips have now got together and are planning skydiving weekends over the coming year.
“Thank you again Sir.”
WO2 MARTIN O’HEAR – A COMPANY, 4 PARA
“In October 2019 I attended exercise Black Skyfall in California. The aim of the exercise was to train paratroopers who had not yet received there static line course and who had not received previous adventure training to skydive. Upon completion receiving their A licence.
“I qualified for the exercise and was both excited and apprehensive when I was told I had been selected to take part.
“Sky diving was something that I have been wanting to do for a while and I had had a previous attempt at my first jump called off due to the weather.
“After basic ground training at Netheravon and meeting our instructors we met the following week for our outbound flight to California. The group consisting of Major Scarrat, 5 instructors and 10, 4 Para students.
“The first day was a basic familiarisation of the Hotel and drop zone and picking up of our hire cars. The feel amongst the group was great as we were all nervous but looking forward to what was to come. That afternoon we were told we were heading to a local wind tunnel for some training which was paid for by The Ulysses Trust. I was really grateful for that training as I gave me a chance to get a feel for the body position required for skydiving and some of the basic movements. This gave me a lot of confidence approaching my first jump as I had mastered my time in the tunnel which I was told was the equivalent of about 6 minutes of freefall!
“The next day was the day of our first jump in the plane I was full of confidence thinking ‘I’m going to nail this’. This was short lived as the sensory overload I experienced upon exiting the plane was like nothing I had ever experienced. My senses couldn’t quite compute what was going on! Thankfully I had two Red Devils at the side of me one of which @dumped me out’ at 5000 feet, Or in layman’s terms opened my parachute.
“This was a bit of a blow to confidence as I consider myself to be at my best when under pressure. But this was new. One of the instructors told me that this was normal and that he experienced the same on his first few jumps. This did nothing to quell my nerves for the next one I spent the next few hours thinking ‘what if I cannot master this’ and worrying about the next jump!
“Over the next few jumps I slowly started putting together what I had been taught in training, the instructors were excellent in what they did.
“Once one jump had been completed there was a few hours of exhilaration thinking how good this all was until the nerves started to set in for the next one.
“The next milestone was my first jump on my own and whilst waiting to board the plane my instructor shouted to one of the others ‘he’s going to have to nail this one because I’m not helping him, he shouldn’t have even got this far!’ With no more time to make the toilet after hearing what was just said I really only had one option. That was to nail the jump and prove to my instructor and myself that I could do it! The pep talk worked a treat and I had my best jump so far with turns, rolls and a bit of tracking all skills needed to progress. My confidence was now sky high. The consolidation jumps that followed were all equally as good and I passed obtaining my A licence, this was a great achievement and is something that I’m really proud of. I’m already planning to do more jumps here in the UK as it’s a skill I don’t want to loose and I would like to progress as a skydiver! The course was certainly accelerated and will defiantly help build on qualities that I have developed in the reserve forces such as my confidence and resilience.
“These qualities and attributes I feel help me to be a better leader in the fire service where I’m a Crew Commander in the technical Rescue department.
“On the whole the course was very well planned the Instruction was the best and it was an experience I will never forget! Thanks to Major Scarrat, the instructors and The Ulysses Trust.”
PTE JOHN BATES – C COMPANY, 4 PARA
