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1st Radio Bn. soars from new heights

USMC News

Submitted by: MCB Hawaii
Story Identification Number: 200373181645
Story by Cpl. Jessica M. Mills

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, ISLAND OF OAHU, Hawaii(June 27, 2003) -- SCHOFIELD BARRACKS - During every reconnaissance operation, there is always a possibility that a ground insertion could be too dangerous. The drop zone could be infested with the enemy.

In preparation for situations such as this, 13 Marines from Radio Reconnaissance Platoon, 1st Radio Bn., leapt from the confines of a CH-53D Sea Stallion helicopter at 1,500 feet to perform static line parachute jumps over Drop Zone Lightning here.

For some of the Marines, it was the first jump they have done since they returned from Operation Iraqi Freedom last month.

"It's been about six and a half months since I've done a jump; altogether, I have done about 32 jumps," said Sgt. Edward Haines, with Radio Reconnaissance Platoon. "All Marines in our platoon are required to keep their proficiency going when it comes to jump status, but it's undue pain sometimes. It doesn't get easier."

The Marines are required to complete these parachute jumps several times each month, but once the Reconnaissance Indoctrination Program begins, the amount of jumps increase. The next RIP exercise begins in July.

"It a grueling period of training for these guys," said Eddie Myers, the parachute loft chief for Radio Reconnaissance Platoon. "The program lasts about three months, training in air, ground and amphibious operations, with very rough physical training standards, exercising twice a day."

Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 362 picked up the Marines at 6:30 p.m. from their paraloft, to prepare for the seconds they would spend in the air.

For obvious safety reasons, before any Marine could board the helicopter, they were required to pass two rigorous Jump Master's pre-inspections.

"If something were to go wrong with their equipment while they were jumping, it could kill them," said Jump Master Gunnery Sgt. David Korff, the training chief for Radio Reconnaissance Platoon. "So, they need to be precise, and we need to check them again and again, before it's too late."

Once the two jump masters had approved all the Marines for the jump, they boarded the CH-53D.

As the bird made its way to the drop zone over Schofield Barracks, the Marines sat patiently, getting their minds and bodies ready for the burst of adrenaline that would be released as they dropped from 1,500 feet above the ground.

During the exercise, the Marines were separated into two groups. The first group jumped while there was still light, and they only carried their jump equipment and parachutes. The second group was prepared for a night jump and was decked out in full combat gear and light sticks.

As the bird finally hovered over the drop zone, the first group received a one-minute time warning then a 30-second time warning. Finally, the first group of Marines stepped off the jump ramp of the Sea Stallion and flew into the air at one-second intervals.

The men hit their target perfectly
Unfortunately, the weather had taken a turn for the worst, and the crew chiefs and the jump masters decided that the second stick's night jump would have to be cancelled.

"All the men were right on the money. It was rock solid," said Korff. "And considering that most of the platoon are new jumpers, the exercise was right on target."