Two weeks ago, I returned from leading a 4-man Air Force training team to Colombia to teach high angle rescue techniques to Colombian Air Force helicopter crews and para-rescue personnel. This is Part 6 of the chronicles of my adventurous trip to Colombia…
Day 8
We finally got to do some flying today! The UH-60L Blackhawk we were promised showed up last night and we got to do some flying today. After our Urban Rescue Training yesterday, I was basically told that the helicopter portion of training this week will only be in support of the Rescatistas (para-rescue jumpers) and no aircrew-only training was on the schedule. I was kind of bummed at first because I was looking forward to developing scenarios, practicing missions, and teaching techniques. However, once I realized I would only be observing the rest of the time, I decided to make the best of it. So I busted out my camera and started taking pictures. I have a feeling I’ll end up being our class photographer by the time this is over.
We started off with free fall skydiving.
While I have some experience with skydiving from airplanes, I had never seen it from a helicopter until today. We were able to do multiple jumps, so I had the opportunity to take pictures both in the air and on the ground. Here are a few of the shots I took:
Blackhawk Flight Engineers ready for the drop
The Rescatistas are glad to be in the air and ready to jump!
Last minute rehearsal before we open the doors
11,000 ft on the clock… time to go!
Side-by-side jump
Free Fall
Palanquero Air Base looking South with the Rio de Magdalena on the west side
North side of Dorada, Colombia looking west
Enjoying the precious moments of hang time under canopy
Coming in for a stand-up landing
Definitely a unique opportunity today. More helicopter ops tomorrow! Stay tuned!
Related Posts
1. A Night in Orlando – Colombia Chronicles
2. Arriving in Bogota - Colombia Chronicles
3. SECDEF, the FARC, and Palanquero - Colombia Chronicles
4. Helicopter Academics - Colombia Chronicles
5. Urban Rescue Ops – Colombia Chronicles
Amazing! I’m both fascinated and terrified of skydiving, mostly just fascinated though. The idea of literally being able to fly is so freeing! Perhaps I’ll give it a go some day!
Definitely give it a try at least once. It’s safer than driving!
I’m also fascinated and terrified, but I have to say that the terror is winning out (I’m not keen on driving either!) Those photos are amazing though, thanks for sharing them!
Glad you enjoyed them. More pictures to come!
You just might be the most amazing person I know.
An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. -Proverbs 31:10
My change is srnatitg tomorrow. A health and life improvement, with tracking my progress this change I should be able do.My change: to reduce carb’s and wheat products. A change my doctor suggested to help relieve the eye problems I am having. After much planning I am ready to start the journey
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Looks like you’ve had quite the adventure. It’s a blessing to have such an opportunity. Like the other poster, I like the shots too! Peace!
It was definitely an adventure! I am very grateful for the opportunity! There are still a few more posts to come!
That’s amazing stuff that you get to do for a living. I did a few static line jumps and a couple of very short freefalls back in the day in Hong Kong and these tropical picture bring all that back vividly.
Quite jealous of your lifestyle.
Static line in Hong Kong? Sounds like fun. How did you get the opportunity to do that?
I’m actually envious of your lifestyle too. I’m working to put myself in a position to run a small business once my time in the Air Force is done.
Well I hear you. Having a stable base is great once the military is behind you. I used to be in the British Army hence the opportunity to do some jumps out there when I was on attachment.
When are you thinking you’ll be out of the Air Force?
I complete my pilot commitment in the summer of ’15, so I’ll make my decision then. I wouldn’t make retirement until 2024. I enjoy my job, but there are so many other things I’m interested in doing as well. We’ll see.
I met Richard Reoch around 1993 at Shambhala London when he first setartd attending its meditation classes. I clearly recall that he volunteered for just about every activity. One evening he came out of an interview smiling, and told me that his meditation instructor had looked at the long list of volunteer positions he’d offered himself for, and asked, What is your agenda?’I note that he’s now President of Shambhala.