YUMA PROVING GROUND, Ariz. – Leadership from the Phoenix Recruiting Battalion visited the Military Freefall School, Feb. 13, Yuma Proving Ground, as part of leadership development for company commanders and first sergeants.
The company leadership was originally scheduled to participate in tandem jumps with instructors from the school, but due to cloudy conditions the jumps were cancelled.
Personnel were able to tour the school and gain an understanding of its functions and purpose, which is to train selected Special Operations Forces, Department of Defense and allied personnel, as Military Freefall Parachutists.
The school is four weeks in duration and conducts 14 courses a year, with 58 students per class, said Master Sgt. Phillip McCumbee, instructor, MFS.
During the school, students learn combat military freefall skills, which take place at both day and night, utilizing High Altitude-Low Openings (HALO) and High Altitude-High Opening (HAHO) settings, McCumbee said.
Phoenix leadership viewed instructors making freefall jumps from 13,000 feet and observed students practicing parachute techniques in the Master Sgt. George Bannar Vertical Wind Tunnel.
The trip was a valuable experience for the command teams, said Lt. Col. Dave Clukey, commander, Phoenix. Rec. Bn.
“The visit broadened awareness of Army Special Operations Forces capabilities by our leaders, to assist recruiting efforts and leverage relationships and close collaboration with the Special Warfare Center and the Special Operations Recruiting Battalion,” Clukey said.
Clukey, also Special Forces trained and qualified, said the trip was also designed to reward alternative recognition to leadership teams and top performers.
“Being able to provide unique experiences and opportunities to our leaders and top performers shows how much we appreciate them,” he said. “Unfortunately they didn’t get the opportunity to jump, but they now have a greater understanding of the capabilities of special operations at another level.”
Date Taken: | 02.14.2018 |
Date Posted: | 02.14.2018 17:10 |
Story ID: | 266075 |
Location: | YUMA PROVING GROUND, ARIZONA, US |
Web Views: | 309 |
Downloads: | 2 |
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