Training in 63rd Parachute Brigade for Jumping With New Parachute

At the “Sergeant-Pilot Mihajlo Petrović” military airfield in Niš, training of members of the 63rd Parachute Brigade in the execution of jumps with the newly introduced RA-1 parachute system of the latest generation from the American manufacturer “Airborne Systems” is underway.

The first training segment was carried out on the ground, where the unit members underwent theoretical and practical preparation - from detailed familiarization with the new parachute system to practicing proper packing of the main and reserve parachutes, as well as procedures in case of possible failure. After the end of the ground training phase, there were free-fall jumps from the aircraft at different heights, with and without equipment and weapons.

Experienced instructors from the 63rd Parachute Brigade are those in charge of the retraining activity whose purpose is familiarization with the specifics of jumping with the newly introduced asset.

One of the retraining instructors has pointed out that the most skillful paratroopers are undergoing this training, including some of the instructors who are getting to know the new parachute system for the first time. After the retraining is over, they will be the ones in charge of further training and conveying the knowledge to other members of the unit.

— The parachute itself has phenomenal tactical and technical characteristics that enable the execution of the most complex jumps in the most complex weather conditions, which we also had today. The parachute is intended for jumping from all types of aircraft from medium and extremely high altitudes, with the possibility of jumping using the high-altitude high-opening technique — HAHO, better known as canopy glide, where paratroopers can travel about 20-40 km without being caught by radar, and complete the task. Using the RA-1 parachute, we can also perform HALO jumps, which involve high-altitude low-opening jumps from up to 8000 meters, with or without the use of oxygen equipment, for which our unit is trained. The impressions from today’s jumps were positive considering the strong wind and cloudiness at the jumping height of 2000 meters and the temperature in the minus, which wasn’t a problem for us, though. The jump with this parachute is phenomenal and ensures that the paratrooper, with using the equipment properly, can land safely, without any problems - the instructor pointed out, adding that the jumps were made from the H-145 helicopter.

A trainee from the 63rd Parachute Brigade has emphasized that the new RA-1 parachute system means a lot to them.

— With this new parachute system, we will be able to perform jumps on water obstacles, areas bordered by obstacles, as well as HAHO and HALO jumps. I had my first jump with the RA-1 parachute and I am extremely satisfied with its characteristics. Given that the weather situation today was complex, we managed to open the parachute at a safe height and land on the designated area without any problems. This parachute is characterized by high precision during landing, and its finesse 1:4.5, which means that we can go 4.5km horizontally from the height of 1km. The support of our colleagues means a lot to us, we have a lot of trust in each other, and the instructors are there to pass on their knowledge to us - said the retraining participant.

Such training of members of the 63rd Parachute Brigade in different conditions “produces” military paratroopers trained to perform the most complex tasks both in the basing area and outside the peacetime location and contribute to preserving the high level of combat readiness of the unit while undertaking combat activities of particular importance for the Republic of Serbia.

Young men and women willing to join this unit of the Serbian Armed Forces and become military paratroopers can apply for the current competition, open until February 28. Candidates whose applications are timely and complete are supposed to undergo medical examinations, psychological assessment, physical fitness test and security screening, followed by basic and selective training. The candidates who have not completed military training with weapons, but who will meet the requirements for admission to professional military service upon completion of selective training, are also eligible to apply for the competition.