n19 SPRING 2012 ParatrooperNEWS.pub

Pag. 3
Pag. 7
Pag. 15
News
Reports
Book & Magazines
Custom Courses
Upcoming Events
History & Units
“Who Dares Wins”:
The New Zealand
Special Air Service
Weapons & Equipments
The Extrema Ratio
R.A.O. Field Knife
Aircrafts & Vehicles
The CH-53E
Sikorsky Helicopter
Wings & Badges
The Naval
Parachutist Badge
Hand To Hand
Combat Course
Acceptable
Loss
The European Paratroopers
Association's Magazine
New Edition
Issue No. 19 - Spring 2012
EDITORS AND STAFF
Editor-in-Chief
Giulio Festa
Deputy Editor
Dean Hutson
Editorial Assistant
Edyta Wilowska
Editorial Staff
&
Collaborators
Biagio Battista
Kazilas Karalampos
Kregg P.J. Jorgenson
Paulo Fernandes
Samuele Ratti
Thodoris Sarafis
Graphic Design
A
s always it’s been an extremely busy, but rewarding few
months for the European Paratroopers Association!
One of the major priorities in this last few months was
the restyling of our web-site and we are very pleased to announce the launching of our new web-site! We know that you,
our members and friends; will be amazed at the new and vastly
improved site. From the simple questions of ‘Who we are’, to the
calendar listing our many cutting edge and world class courses,
we know you will find our new site easy to use, full of information and exciting to explore. Take some time to look around,
check out our information, links and many training opportunities.
No matter if your interest is Military Parachute Qualifications
with Active Duty Military Jump master..... or one of our many,
many Tactical Training Courses which span everything from
SWAT, Waterborne, and Tactical Medical, Breaching, Mountain
Operations and MORE! Want to show your support and membership for the best Military Parachute Association in the world?
Stop by our on-line shop and pick up a hat, shirt or poster. We
Welcome You - the Paratrooper, Tactical Operator and Military/
Police Special Operations Member, to your new home!
WNS88
Giulio Festa
Website
www.europeanparatroopers.org
E-mail
[email protected]
Copyright
Here and abroad of all editorial
material is held by the publishers.
No reproduction is permitted
whatsoever without prior
consent in writing.
Cover Image:
Tactical Waterborne course
student in training
2
News
Upcoming Events
Custom Courses
3
Reports
EPA’s MTC Tactical Waterborne Training Course
Hand To Hand Combat Course
Training for Contractors
4
History & Units
“Who Dares Wins”: The New Zealand Special Air Service
10
Weapons & Equipments
The Extrema Ratio R.A.O. Field Knife
12
Aircrafts & Vehicles
The CH-53E Sikorsky Helicopter
13
Wings & Badges
The Naval Parachutist Badge
14
Books & Magazines
Acceptable Loss
15
THE RHODE ISLAND ARMY NATIONAL GUARD’S LEAPFEST XXX
International Static Line Parachute Exercise (Summer 2012)
T
he Rhode Island Army National Guard invited the European Paratroopers Association to
take part in their 30th annual Leapfest which took place in North
Kingstown, Rhode Island USA this
Summer. The Leapfest is the largest International military static
line parachute training event and
competition. The event began in
1982 as a way for members
of 56th Troop Command to
keep in contact with the international
airborne
community
they
their training and
oldest such compe-
meet
in
deployments. It is the
tition in the world.
The Rhode Island National Guard’s Leapfest
is an exercise which develops the
command and control of Army
Aviation to deliver a maneuver force on the tactical objective with precision and in a timely manner to conduct combat operations. There is a
competitive aspect to the exercise as well, which builds camaraderie and
esprit de corps among the US and International Community. Teams from
the US Army, US Navy, USMC, USAF, and International Teams from all
over the world make their way across the globe to join this annual
event. Each team consists of 5 participants: 4 jumpers and 1 alternate
jumper. Jumpers exit from a CH-47 Chinook helicopter at an altitude of
1500 feet (457 meters) using an MC1-1C/D static line, steerable, parabolic parchute. Participants aim to land as close as possible to a marked,
designated area within the landing zone. Upon landing and completing a
PLF, participants are timed by qualified judges until they reach the designated area. This is both an individual and team event. Each jumper
must complete 3 jumps to be qualified for the individual award, and each team must complete 12 jumps in total to be qualified for the team
award. Paratroopers will execute a familiarization jump prior to the competition.The complete rules are provided at the mission briefing.
This is an opportunity for our members to participate and earn foreign
jump wings. In addition to these jumps, a final jump is executed in
which foreign jumpmasters have the opportunity to execute duties allowing paratroopers the ability to earn foreign airborne wings. International competitors are awarded the U.S. Army Parachute Badge upon completing the appropriate training and parachute descents.
For answers to specific questions concerning the participation to the
30th LEAPFEST, please contact us at: [email protected]
Edyta Wilowska
Airborne Training
Custom basic and advanced
airborne training can be arranged and designed especially for you. For answers to
specific questions concerning
the Airborne Training Courses
please do not hesitate to contact us.
Tactical Training
Custom basic and advanced
training in marksmanship and
combat techniques and tactics can be arranged and designed especially for you. For
answers to specific questions
concerning the Combat Training Courses please do not
hesitate to contact us.
Airborne Courses
For those of our members
who haven't yet joined a military airborne course at a military airborne school, we have
designed specific basic and
advanced airborne courses to
give them the opportunity to
qualify as military parachutists.
Our military parachute training courses are being taught
by highly qualified military
parachute instructors coming
from the NATO countries’
Armed Forces. The courses
are held by our Military Training Center-Airborne Division.
This courses are also opened
to former military parachutists that need a refresh and
will include military static line
round canopy parachute descents. At the end of the
Course, after the jumps, according to host Country’s
regulations, students will be
awarded Czech wings. On request, besides the Czech
wings, there will be also
awarded Slovak wings. Once
our members have successfully completed the basic airborne training course and
earned their military parachutists wings, they will receive the European Wings.
3
By Dean Hutson
Waterborne Course student climbing up assault ladder from Zodiac.
On the next page on top from left: Student perform entry test. Team
on the deck of boarded freighter. Tactical zodiac assault training.
4
‘P
repare For Borders!' Until recently this phrase
had not been heard for almost 150 years...back in
the days of high seas piracy. Times
have changed and now pirates are
once again a very real and dangerous aspect of ocean commerce
and commercial shipping. And so
because of this threat and the high
demand for those trained to counter it, the European Paratroopers
Association - Military Training
Center’s Waterborne Division conducted the Waterborne-Anti Pirate
Course in the seaside port of Thessaloniki, Greece.
Italian, Greek, American and Germans all came together to learn
the tactics and techniques used by
Naval & Coast Guard Special Operations Teams to counter these
threats. In addition to the repulsing of the initial pirate attack our
members also learned the dangerous and demanding tactics for boarding and clearing a large ocean
going vessel on the high seas.
Day one was devoted to the laws
and rules of engagement demanded by international laws and treaties - this is required when the
course graduates went on to seek
employment later as SSO's - Ship
Security Officers. The first day was
also devoted to instruction showing the students the many ways
to establish greater physical security on ships using a variety of methods and equipment to include but not limited to - water cannon,
electrified and barbed wire and various firearms and maneuvering
techniques. The personal protecti-
ve equipment needed while on
board was also shown and demonstrated. The tactics of modern pirates were also discussed, as were
the tactics used to defeat them.
Students were also provided with a
very extensive list of reference
materials and sources of information so they could tailor their own
SSO program to fit their particular
ship owners needs, international
laws pertaining to their particular
countries rules and other valuable
sources of information
so that they can
speak intelligently
and with knowledge
regarding
SSO duties when they first meet
with a ship's Captain or owner.
With the required administrative
and legal requirements met we
then moved onto the ship itself.
Our training platform was a very
large and complicated ocean going
freighter. Students - led by our
Police
SWAT and Coast
G u a r d
Special Operations
Instructors
- were taken
throughout
the ship and
familiarized
with
the
m a n y
c a -
bins, passageways, engine rooms
and decks that make up the maze
of often confusing parts of a modern day large ship. The sometimes difficult action of initially boarding a ship from dockside using a
'jacobs ladder' was performed by
all and was the primary way we
boarded the ship from the dock each morning.
Tactical movement on a ship is
fundamentally the same as in a
building - but with some very important and potentially dangerous
differences. The danger of ricochet
in a ship as the bullets bounce off
the steel of the bulkheads and passageways is of constant
concern inside a
ship and on
the deck so
stu-
Students securing the deck of boarded ship. On the next page: Waterborne insignia. Classroom at the NATO base. Instructor take a lesson
to the students. Participants preparing for the awarding ceremony.
5
dents were given instruction on the
best weapon systems and ammo
choices to use in a Waterborne operation. Movement inside the
small and narrow passageways
presented new challenges to the
students and specialized methods
of carrying and firing the M-4 were
shown and instructed by a veteran
Greek Coast Guard Special
Operator. High quality lights - both
weapon mounted and personally
carried - were quickly shown to be
mandatory as once you left the
main deck and ventured below it
became pitch black...with no light
at all to help you seek out, identify
and engage your prey.
The concepts of taking control of
the bridge & wheelhouse, secondary control rooms and the steering gear of the ship all were
shown and demonstrated - driving
home to the students the importance of quickly and decisively taking control of the ship. Defending
the important locations of the ship
and maintaining the safety and
well being of the crew were taught
and demonstrated. Adding to the
realistic training was the constant
use of 'Red Team' members to assault the ship and as realistic and
dangerous 'pirates' who were on
board and who the students were
tasked with hunting down and securing or killing as needed.
I would like to note at this time
that this was not only a training
course where the European Paratrooper Association members were
taught to repulse pirate assaults
but also the students were instructed on the tactics needed to board
and take back a ship at sea clearing the ship of terrorist elements and establishing control of
the ship again. The extremely dangerous tactic of climbing down into
a completely dark ship's hold and
searching it for armed criminals
was also demonstrated and practiced by each student. Going from
the deck into a dark hatchway using only a narrow and dangerous
6
set of steel rungs while having very limited sight
and weapons control
made for a new standard of danger for
many of our students.
Our next phase started
with a very demanding
'combat swim test' which each student had to pass so
as to complete the more advanced portions of the course.
This swim test was performed in
helmet and weighted vest in a pool
under the watchful eyes of elite
Coast Guard Rescue Swimmers. All
students passed and were now ready for the more advanced section
of the course - Assault Phase. The
assault phase of training stepped
up the requirements and skills needed to perform the mission. During
this phase the high point was the
team insertion onto the ship using
the Zodiac Special Operations
Boat.
Students were divided into small
teams and provided instruction on
the use and handling of the Zodiac
rigid inflatable boat - the standard
assault craft for SEAL and Special
Forces teams worldwide.
During this phase the teams were
brought alongside the ship, deployed the assault ladder - using it's
hook and pole system - and then
had to climb the twisting Kevlar
cloth ladder up the side of the ship
with full gear and weapons on!
This was the most challenging aspect of the course for many of the
students. This is an extremely
physically demanding tactic and
the danger of falling from this
small, wet and twisting assault ladder into the ocean while wearing
full gear, helmet, boots and weapons is very real. Once again our
team of Coast Guard Rescue Swimmers were standing by just in case. Once the students made it onto
the deck of the pirate occupied
ship they then formed into search
and assault teams and moved out
to clear and capture - or kill - the
terrorist who
w e r e
throughout
the ship. Steep ladders b o t h interior and exterior narrow and dark passageways often barricaded with furniture so as
to initiate an ambush on the teams, and of course, the ever present highly experienced 'Red Teams' waiting to kill a careless
Operator, were part of each and
every ship assault scenario that took place.
The European Paratroopers Association - due to our professionalism
and excellent contacts among Military and Police Special Operations
Teams worldwide...were provided
with full access to the NATO facilities for our classroom training and
accommodations. Attending our
course graduation were members
of the Coast Guard Special Operations Command Staff, KFOR representative, US Army, NATO Command and other Police and Military
dignitaries and Commanders.
Some individuals waited too long
and did not make the registration
deadline for this last course - do
not be 'that guy' and miss the opportunity to attend this world class
training opportunity when it is again offered to our membership.
Because of the logistical demands
and extremely demanding nature
of this course we will only offer this
once a year - don't miss out on the
next opportunity to attend.
Be the first among your team
members, friends and comrades to
earn the rarely awarded 'TACTICAL
WATERBORNE' insignia.
By Giulio Festa
Italian Army soldiers practising effective fighting techniques on EPA’s
MTC H2H Combat Course at the Gym of the “Modigliani” Barracks in
Pinerolo, Italy home of the Italian Army 1st Cavalry Regiment.
O
n 16-18 March 2012 for
the very first time the
European Paratroopers
Association Hand To
Hand Combat Course was offered
to our members.
The course took place at the
“Modigliani” Barracks in Pinerolo,
Italy home of the Italian Army 1st
“Nizza” Cavalry Regiment. Participants was active and reserve sol-
diers coming from different Italian
Army Units.
Our Hand To Hand Combat Course
was designed for the individual
with basic tactical skills & experience from the military and law enforcement fields. The course - held
by our Military Training Center's
Combat Division Mobile Training
Team - combines two of EPA-MTC's
courses: Basic H2H Combat
(#218C, 2 days) and Advanced
H2H Combat (#219C, 1 day). During the course students received
intensive, full-immersion hand to
hand combat training in accordance to military standards and
were introduced to the power of
one of the most modern and effective H2H fighting systems. The primary instructor for the course was
Emilio Buffardi, who is EPA-MTC's
instructor in charge for Hand to
Hand training. It was a great learning experience for students.
Emilio's background and training
credentials are impeccable and it
comes across in the course. Participants met from Friday through
Sunday for a total of 24 hours. The
latest, real life instruction and
training on hand to hand fighting
and fighting with a rifle and a
handgun – during an intensive
course gave students the rarely offered expertise to deal with the
modern battlefield. Extremely aggressive, effective and brutal techniques which originated in times of
war – and all of the unique dynamics involved in that – also were
taught and practiced.
The first day, after an overview of
the Russian (Sambo) and Israeli
(Kapap) military fighting programs,
focused on the fundamentals of the
American military fighting program
(MAC). The MAC - Modern Army
Combatives Program was adopted
by the U.S. Army in 2000. The program is the culmination of a directive by the Commander of 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment in
1995 to improve the Army’s older
and unused combatives program.
Modern Army Combatives is a
ground based fighting system that
teaches soldiers to close the gap
between him or herself, gain dominance and finishes the fight. MAC
draws from systems such as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, Muay Thai, Boxing and eskrima, which could be
trained "live" and can be fully integrated into current Close Quarters
7
Battle tactics and training methods. The Hand To Hand Combat
Course training program is focused
on teaching students how to train
rather than attempting to give
them the perfect techniques for
any given situation. The main idea
is that all real ability is developed
after the initial training and only if
training becomes routine. The initial techniques are simply a learning metaphor useful for teaching
more important concepts, such as
dominating an opponent with superior body position during ground
grappling or how to control someone during clinch fighting. They are
taught as small, easily repeatable
drills, in which practitioners could
learn multiple related techniques
rapidly.
During the remaining fast paced
and demanding two days of hand
to hand combat, course participants learned how to fight against
different threats such as: one or
more unarmed or knife wielding
attackers, aggressors that threaten
you with a gun or rifle and how to
prevent being disarmed. They
learned fighting with a rifle and an
handgun, the tactical use of the
handcuffs, batons and military
fighting knives. Lastly, they also
learned to handle dangerous situation under stressful conditions of
oxygen debt.
A few of the elements covered in
this course were: overview of the
military fighting programs, fundamentals of hand to hand combat,
weapons of the body, target areas
of the body, pressure points of the
body, basic warrior stance, angles
of approach and movement, balance and off-balance, falls, unarmed against hand-held weapons,
lethal and nonlethal weapons techniques, rifle retention techniques,
handgun retention techniques, firearm disarmament techniques,
bayonet/knife fighting techniques,
baton steel/tonfa techniques,
blocking techniques, counters to
EPA-MTC Instructor Emilio Buffardi (first from left) with the students.
On top: Hand To Hand course students receiving intensive hand to
hand combat training in accordance to NATO military standards.
8
hand-held weapon attacks, offensive ground fighting, defensive
ground fighting.
I think all participants would say
the course was challenging, at
times even humbling. Class size for
both courses was very regular and
Emilio was able to catch and correct individual flaws in technique.
It was a long and demanding
weekend and all participants were
tired both physically and mentally
at its conclusion, but all were better off for having attended.
I would highly recommend the EPA
Hand to Hand training courses for
anyone who wants to improve his/
her combat skills.
For those, units and groups, who
have specific needs, our curriculums can be exported to any location via the EPA-MTC Mobile Training Team (MTT). Our courses can
be tailored & customized for your
unit’s special needs and desires.
Contact us today to discuss your
training needs.
By Kazilas Karalampos
T
he European Paratroopers Association’s Military Training Center
Mobile Training Team is
providing a very extensive tactical
firearms and shipboard combat
training and certification program
in Thessaloniki, Greece to a major
maritime security company.
Engaging the pirates at short distances takes fast reflexes, finely
tuned weapons handling skills and
an aggressive spirit….. Quickly acquiring and identifying your target
and making the life or death decision to fire in a split second is
stressed during this training
program. Fast and efficient weapons handling skills – to include
reloading and transition drills – is
also emphasized.
Our instructors are current, active
duty Coast Guard Special Operations
personnel.
This
highly
sought out tactical firearms and
shipboard
combat
training
program take place utilizing the
latest, real life instruction and
training on repelling borders and
small enemy assault give the contractors
the
rarely
offered
expertise to deal with these modern day pirates and increase the
ability to get hired in this rapidly
growing field of international security work.
By Dean Hutson
T
he European Paratroopers
Association
Military Training Center - in conjunction
with the Grandview Missouri Police SWAT (Special Weapons
And Tactics) Team of the USA was selected to test and evaluate (T&E) the latest delivery de-
vice for the safe insertion of tear
gas (CS & CN) into a building.
The purpose of the Burn-Safe
equipment is so the Special Operator can introduce the highly
effective - but dangerously hot 'Flame Expulsion Chemical Munition' aka - 'Hot Gas' into a house
or building and lesson the risk of
fire. Four different devices were
provided to us from the manufacturer for T&E.
Stand by for an upcoming, extensive evaluation write-up to
be posted here - on the European Paratroopers Association
Magazine! You will see it here
FIRST!
9
By Thodoris Sarafis
N
Trooper of New Zealand SAS in Afghanistan. On the next page from
top: NZ SAS Wings. SAS Troopers performing HALO jump. SAS in
action in Kabul. Troopers sitting on the Ramp of a CH-47 Helicopter.
10
ew Zealand, part of the
British Commonwealth,
fought alongside the
British forces in all the
wars of the 20th century. With the
Australians they formed the ANZAC
(Australian-New Zealand Army
Corps) which wrote glorious pages
in the book of History.
During World War II New Zealanders among other things helped to
establish special forces units. The
most famous was the Long Range
Patrol Group (LRPG) where the
majority of its members were New
Zealanders. LRPG was patrolling
and raiding Axis camps in Northern
Africa and later on, on the Aegean
sea. Also a number of New Zealanders joined the Special Air Service.
In the Pacific field New Zealanders
manned patrol teams (P-Force)
who conducted reconnaissance operations and raids in the Pacific
islands. After World War II New
Zealand disbanded all the Special
Forces units. In the mid 1950s
New Zealand was called to reinforce the British in the Malayan expedition. The need of a Special For-
ces unit was seen and thus in 1955
the New Zealand Army decided to
organize a unit based on the British Special Air Service standards.
Major Frank Rennie, a former SAS
member was selected to organize
the development of the new unit,
which was named New Zealand
Special Air Service.
Initially 800 men applied out of
which 182 were selected to pass
selection. The selection process lasted 10 days for officers and 8
days for other ranks. After selection the cadets had to pass a 9
month training. At the end of 1955
the New Zealand SAS (NZ SAS)
was ready to be operational. Alongside the British and the Australians they conducted operations in
Malaya from 1956 until 1958. Their
duties were long range patrolling,
counter insurgent operations and
hearts & minds operations. During
the war 1 SAS trooper was killed.
In 1968 New Zealand was called to
assist the Americans in the Vietnam war. One of the units mobilized was the NZ SAS. From 1968
until 1971 the NZ SAS alongside
the Australian SAS conducted patrols behind enemy lines and counter insurgency operations. During
the war they briefly changed their
names to 1st Ranger Squadron.
During the war one squadron was
based in New Zealand for training
while the other was operational.
This way all its members got
combat experience. During the war
one SAS trooper was killed.
Next time the NZ SAS was mobilized was in 1991 during the Gulf
War between Iraq- Kuwait. 24 men
of the NZ SAS were deployed initially in Saudi Arabia and then in
Kuwait to conduct Combat Search
and Rescue (CSAR) of allied downed pilots.
In 1999 a number of NZ SAS was
deployed with the Australian SAS
in East Timor in order to provide
security to the fleeing refugees and
to enforce a cease fire. In 2000 the
Commando Squadron was
established. Until then the
two Sabre Squadrons of the
SAS were every six month
exchanging roles in Counter
Terrorism and Military. The
Commando Squadron is a unit
company size which is solely responsible for Counter Terrorist Activities, following the Australian
TAG (Tactical Assault Group) doctrine and works closely to the New
Zealand Police. It is divided into a
sniper platoon and an assault platoon. From 2001 until 2005 and
then from 2009 until now the NZ
SAS has been deployed in Afghanistan. It was one of the first units to
be deployed in November 2001 along with the British and Australian
SAS and the US Delta Force. Each
six month tour, 40-65 NZ SAS
members were in Afghanistan conducting reconnaissance operations
and chasing Taliban. From 2009
the number of NZ SAS troops in
Afghanistan was increased to 70.
In 2005 Corporal William Apiata
was awarded the British Victoria
Cross metal for valor, after saving
a colleague and caring him 100m
under heavy enemy fire. It is the
highest military award in the British Army and Commonwealth and
Corporal Apiata was the first to receive it.
The NZ SAS is organized as follows: Headquarters platoon,
Training Wing, A Squadron, Air
Troop, Boat Troop, Mountain Troop, B Squadron, Air Troop, Boat
Troop, Mountain Troop, Commando
Squadron, Sniper platoon, Assault
platoon. Each Squadron is divided
into three 16 man strong platoons
commanded by a captain. Each
platoon has a specific role. Air Troop is responsible for long range reconnaissance and infiltration with
the use of HALO and HAHO jumps.
The boat troop is trained to conduct amphibian operations and infiltration by boat and scuba diving
equipment. The mountain troop is
trained to conduct operations in
mountain terrain
and in arctic environment. Lots of
its specialized training takes place
in Australia and in Great Britain.
Each Troop is divided into four
4man teams. Each member of a
team has one of the following specializations: medic - linguist - radio
operator - demolitions. The selection process is once a year. The
enlisted cadets need to pass an 8
day selection process while officers
are required to pass an addition
two day. In the first day applicants
are tested in basic physical tests of
the New Zealand Army. The following days they are pushed to their
physical and psychological limits by
conducting long marches with navigation with 35 kg load and a rifle.
The ones who will pass selection,
will need to pass a 9 month
training process which includes:
Weapon handling, Patrol tactics,
Observation tactics, Survival technique, Jungle operations, Dessert Operations, Counter Terrorism, Static Line parachuting.
It is noteworthy to mention that
the NZ SAS is the only unit in New
Zealand who is capble to conduct
parachute jumps. At the end of the
9 month training 10-15% will graduate and then they will be assigned to one of the Squadrons and
troops. There they will need to attend schools for both their troop
specialization (mountain, air and
boat) and their individual specialization (linguist-medic-radio
operator- demolitions).
Since 2009 NZ SAS members are
using the Multicam camouflage and
they use the M-4 A1 rifle.
11
T
he Extrema Ratio
R.A.O. knife was
commissioned by
the Italian Army
185th
“Folgore”
Regi me nt,
(ABN) (LRS), in the late
2006. This elite unit
conducts long-range
recon for the purpose of acquiring
targets
(for
airstrikes, artillery and
warships) as well as
providing battle damage
assessment. They operate
in all theatres of war and are the
only one of its kind in the Italian
Military. Their Motto is “Videre
Nec Videri”, Latin for “See Without Being Seen”. The 185th will
often carry out missions from 810 days without supplies in enemy controlled territory. This
dangerous job requires them to
operate in small self sufficient
groups and demands a compact
versatile field knife: the Extrema
Ratio R.A.O. Compact is definitely
a matter of context. The R.A.O.
is a very large for a folder. With
a .24″ (6 mm) thickness, the
massive N690 blade measures at
almost 4.75 inches long and 1.75
inches at its widest. The blade
spine has 1.6″ inches of aggressive jimping followed by a wide
swedge and lastly a sharpened
upper edge. The primary edge is
straight with a tanto like tip that
meets the swedge edge forming
a triangular point. It roughly resembles two tanto blades back to
back and can be used for chopping, prying, digging and cutting.
T h e
hefty blade rotates on a 6mm
pivot and against two
nylon bushings. The
R.A.O. Has a large clipless Anticordal aluminum
handle (Anticordal is a
brand name of harden-able silicon-aluminum.) likely designed
for use with gloved hands. This
houses the main lock, a springbacked .24″ (6 mm) pin that fits
into a deep tapered slot in the
tang when open. There is also a
shallow slot on the opposite side
of the tang that holds the blade
in the handle when closed. The
front guard (quillon) has a
threaded hole that can house a
screw-in safety pin, protecting
the blade from accidentally closing when under stress while
chopping or striking. The pin is
Heavy Duty
Excellent M.O.L.L.E. Compatible Carry system
Safe Lock
Mil-Spec/Military with 6 years use
Elastic Lanyard/Pin winds when used
Specifications (R.A.O.)
Total Dimensions & Weight
length open 10.25 in (260 mm)
length closed 4 3/4 in (121 mm)
weight 12 oz. (17.8 Oz with sheath) 340 g
(505 g with sheath)
12
connected to an elastic lanyard
that also serves to wrap around
the hand while using the knife.
Slight scallops in the rear add
some extra ergonomics but the
outward
swept
rear
guard is responsible
for keeping the
knife firm
in
the
hand.
A
large steel
b a c k spaced
e x tends
p a s t
t h e
b u t t
forming a
substantial
glass-breaker
or
“persuader”.
The knife comes
with a M.O.L.L.E. compatible nylon carrying system. The carrying case has a third feature that
holds a decent diamond pad
sharpener laminated on an anodized aluminum backing.
The
sharpener has a small paracord
lanyard attached.
Over-all the R.A.O. is a capablecompact versatile folding milspec field knife. It’s hard use design, additionally safety feature
and adaptive carry system combine to create a useful, reliable
and practical cutting tool.
Blade
blade length 4.72 in (141 mm)
blade steel N690co
blade thickness .24 in (6 mm)
cutting edge (including the sharpened upper tip)
5.55″ in (141mm)
Lock
Spring loaded Pin in tang
Screw in safety pin
Handle
SAG Anticordal Aluminum
T
he Sikorsky CH53E Super Stallion
is the largest helicopter in the western world. It is
capable of lifting
up
to
36000
pounds
and the CH-53E Super
Stallion can hold 55 combat loaded troops, 24 litters, or 6 pallets of stores and ammunition in
its cargo bay. As one of the few
helicopters in the world configured with 3 gas turbine engines
and in-flight refueling capability.
This aircraft originally
entered service in the
early 1960’s during
the Vietnam War as
the CH-53A Sea Stallion, and is primarily used for logistics. With external
cargo hooks and a large cargo
bay, this helicopter is used to
move artillery, armored personnel carriers, light tanks, and troops, both externally and internally, around the battlefield. The
Navy variant of the aircraft is the
MH-53E Sea Dragon.
The Marine Corps placed its initial
order for the CH-53A Sea Stallion
in August 1962. At that time, it
was the largest helicopter design
available in the U.S.
The CH-53E Super Stallion's pri-
mary mission is to move cargo
and equipment. It has a secondary role of transferring troops
ashore in an amphibious or airborne assault. CH-53Ds, with improved engines and increased
power, are also used to recover
downed aircraft, sweep mined
areas
and, if
necess a r y ,
tow di-
sile system. If passengers are
carried, 38 combat-equipped troops or 24 litter patients can be
accommodated.
Twin-turbine engines turn a
single, six-bladed main rotor
which has an automatic bladefolding system. An automatic flight
control system lessens pilot fatigue on long missions. The CH-53
Super Stallion is capable of emergency water landing and takeoff.
stressed
ships.
The Sea Stallion's cargo/troop
compartment measures 30 feet
long by 7'/2 feet wide and 6'/2
feet high and has a rear door and
loading ramp. To facilitate cargo
handling, a remotely controlled
winch is located at the forward
end of the compartment. There is
space for a jeep with trailer, a
105mm howitzer or a Hawk mis-
Specifications (CH-53E)
Rotor: 7 blades (main rotor), 4 blades (tail rotor)
General characteristics
Crew: 5 (2 pilots, 1 crew chief/gunner, 2 gunners)
Capacity: 37 troops
Payload: 13,600 kg (int.);14,500 kg (ext.)
Length: 30.2 m
Rotor diameter: 24 m
Height: 8.46 m
Disc area: 460 m²
Empty weight: 15,071 kg
Max. takeoff weight: 33,300 kg
Powerplant: 3 × General Electric T64-GE416/416A turboshaft, 4,380 shp (3,270 kW) each
Performance
Maximum speed: 170 knots (315 km/h)
Cruise speed: 150 kt (278 km/h)
Range: 540 nmi (1,000 km)
Ferry range: 990 nmi (1,833 km)
Service ceiling: 18,500 ft (5,640 m)
Rate of climb: 2,500 ft/min (13 m/s)
Armament
Guns: 2 x GAU-15/A 0.50 Caliber machine guns,
1 x GAU-21 0.50 Caliber machine gun
Other: Chaff and flare dispensers
13
I
n the United States of America
the
Parachutist
Badge, also commonly referred to
as "Jump Wings",
is a military badge of the US Armed Forces awarded to members of the United States Army,
Air Force, Marine Corps and
Navy. The United States Coast
Guard is the only service that
does not issue its own Parachutist Badge, but its members are
authorized to receive the Parachutist Badges of other services
in accordance with their prescribed requirements. The Army Parachutist Badge (Basic Parachutist Insignia) is awarded to all
military personnel of any service
who complete the US Army
Basic Airborne Course at Fort
Benning, Georgia. It signifies
that the soldier is a trained Military Parachutist, and is qualified
to participate in airborne operations.
The US Navy & US Marine
Corps Parachutist Insignia
In 1963 Chief of Naval Operations Admiral George W. Anderson, on the recommendation by
Major Bruce F. Meyers of the
Marine Corps Test Unit, authorized the adoption of a new, distinctively naval badge modeled
after the insignia of the Paramarines and naval aviation from
World War II. BUPERS (Bureau
of Naval Personnel) Notice 1020
of 12 July 1963 announced the
approval of the new wing insignia for Navy and Marine Corps
Parachutists. The change to the
1959 Uniform Regulations
stated that the old Para-
chutist
insignia would be
renamed Basic Parachutist insignia in keeping with Army and
Air Force nomenclature. The
Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist Insignia (formerly the
Naval Parachutist Insignia) is a
gold embroidered (Navy only) or
gold-colored metal insignia depicting an open parachute with
outstretched wings, the same as
that provided for Naval Aviator’s
insignia, except that a goldcolored open parachute shall be
centered on the wings vice the
shield and foul anchor. It is authorized for officers and enlisted
personnel who were awarded
the Basic Parachutist Insignia
and, under competent orders,
have completed a minimum of
five additional static-line or P3
jumps, to include: (1) combat
equipment day jump, two (2)
combat equipment night jumps,
and employ at least two (2) different types of military aircraft
with a Navy or Marine Corps organization whose mission includes parachute jumping. Once
a marine has qualified for the
Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist insignia, that insignia
shall be worn in lieu of the
Basic Parachutist insignia,
THE US NAVY AND MARINE CORPS
PARACHUTIST WINGS.
THE INSIGNIA OF UNITED STATES
MARINE CORPS ’S ‘FORCE RECON’
its wear in conjunction with the
Combatant or SCUBA Diver insignia identify Battalion Recon
and Force Recon Marines. Recon
Marines not yet qualified for the
Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist Insignia continue to wear
the Basic Parachutist Insignia.
The United States Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist Insigna
Type: Military Badges
Status: Currently awarded
Approved: On 12.07.63
Awarded by: The United States of America
Awarded for: Completion of the Basic Airborne Course and a minimum of five additional static line
or free-fall jumps with a Navy or Marine Corps organization
Eligibility: US Navy and USMC personnel and Allied Nations’ soldiers
14
Acceptable Loss:
An Infantry Soldier’s Perspective
T
he
true-to-life
story of a US
Army Ranger who
volunteered
to
serve on a Blue
Team in the Air
Cavalry, racing to the aid of soldiers who faced the same dangers he had barely survived in
the jungles of Vietnam. Whether
enduring NVA sniper attacks, surviving "friendly" fire, or landing in
hot LZs, the author Kregg
Jorgenson discovered that in
Vietnam you never knew whether
you were paranoid or just painfully aware of the possibilities.
After watching most of his buddies die in a firefight when his
LRRP team was overrun by the
NVA, Kregg Jorgenson volunteered to serve on a Blue Team
in the Air Cavalry - under intense
enemy fire - racing to aid fliers
downed and down for the count.
Jorgenson survived 54 missions
as point man in just 10 months in
Vietnam. Kregg and I have
known each other since he joined
the European Paratroopers Association for now five years. He was
kind enough to see that some
years ago I received a copy of his
first book "Acceptable Loss".
Kregg is both an authentic modern hero and great gifted writer.
He is true American hero, he is
decorated with the silver star, the
bronze star and 3 purple hearts.
Kregg Jorgenson tell his story
how he lived it. The last time we
saw each other was on small air-
field outside of Pribram,
Czech Republic, with an
international
group
of
paratroopers doing parachute
jumps.
Kregg
Jorgenson started his service in Vietnam with the 1
Cavalry Division, while at
the repo center he decided to join the Ranger
company of the 1 Cav;
Hotel company. After a
short training period he
started going out on patrols and soon got into his
first firefight. A short
while later his patrol got
into a more serious firefight that saw the ATL
and his best friend killed
in action and another
team member wounded,
Kregg and his team
leader performed admirably, getting the entire
team extracted under fire while
fighting off the NVA. Even though
he felt that he had failed his
teammates and his best friend,
the division decided that the
Team leader and he deserved the
Silver star. Having lost confidence in himself as a Ranger,
Kregg decided to quit the Rangers, he transferred to A troop
(aka Apache) of the 1/9 and
joined the infantry platoon of
Apache troop, the Blues. Here he
served as a squad leader, and he
did not mind walking point, some
said that he enjoyed it. His service in Apache troop got him into
several firefights, that saw him
wounded two more times and
earning a bronze star for valor.
Acceptable Loss is one of the best
personal accounts of the Vietnam
War. It is well written, many of
the episodes in the books has
been well documented in other
books, Kregg writes with a sarcasm and self irony that often
makes you laugh, he makes his
comrades in the Blues platoon
come alive and you get the feeling that you almost know them in
person. A very good book by any
standard.
Giulio Festa
Product Details
Title: Acceptable Loss: An Infantry Soldier's Perspective
Author: Kregg P.J Jorgenson
Publisher: Ivy Books
Published: September 1991
Mass Market Paperback: 256 pages
Language: English
Price: $7.99
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. www.amazon.com
15
Invictus
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
William Ernest Henley. 1849
1849––1903
16