What it's like for an Army Paratrooper to step into the air over a drop zone
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Published 2021-09-30
Video by Sgt. 1st Class Jonathan Hornby
82nd Airborne Division
U.S. Army Jumpmaster, Staff Sgt. Paul O'Brien, assigned to 1st Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, provides a point-of-view perspective as he leads his chalk during Exercise Falcon Leap. Here he drops onto Ginkelse Heide drop zone, Netherlands on 17 September, 2021.
Exercise Falcon Leap is part of the remembrance ceremonies for Operation Market Garden's 77th anniversary and is currently NATO's largest technical airborne exercise with 12 different Allied and partner Nations participating. 82nd ABN DIV conducts airborne training with partner nations in the Netherlands during Falcon Leap 2021.
U.S. Army product by Sgt. 1st Class Jonathan D.D. Hornby
All Comments (21)
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My first jump, I thought there was a good chance I could die if I made the slightest mistake. After the exit it was mostly quiet, except for the Blackhats (training cadre) on their bullhorns, and an amazing view. After what seems like just a few seconds, the ground comes speeding towards you. You tense up while trying to remain relaxed, but poised for impact, then you make your PLF or Parachute Landing Fall. My first thought after landing was, "I want to do that again!"
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I recently met a WW2 veteran a couple weeks ago. He was a paratrooper who landed in Normandy I can’t imagine what went through his head jumping out to France during that time. He’s 104 years old and still with us. Respect to the men who fought in WW2.
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I met a WW2 paratrooper who was fired upon during a jump. He simply had to watch whilst the tracer rounds scattered around him an hope that he wasn't hit. He was, but thankfully it was not a fatal shot, and he wasn't captured by the Germans afterwards. I think he only passed away a few years ago. Remember, WW2 will soon be beyond living memory.
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Was a paratrooper from 2012-2016. First time watching a video like this since I've been out. This certainly brought back amazing memories.
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Looks absolutely terrifying. Big respect to paratroopers for basically defying all instincts while doing these jumps over and over again
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My grand dad was para trained in the 2nd world war. He said he always ensured not to be the first in line as you had to stare out of the plane and wait for the instruction to jump. He said it was far easier to follow the soldier in front of you.
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Look at the coordination needed to jump like this, especially without ground fire hitting the plane. I cannot fathem what those poor souls that dropped in WW2 had to go through, god bless them. ❤
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A mere 4 second delay jumping after the last soldier created a big gap between him and the rest of the group. Really shows the importance of these drills and keeping everyone packed tight together, especially if this had been at night in unfamiliar territory.
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I was a paratrooper in the Army. I served from 1997 to 2017. Life as a paratrooper was the best damn time of my life
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My Dad was in the 82nd in WW2 , he got to D day but was wounded coming down , a bad drop , shot in the stomach but saved by the local French people , he drank the rest of his life , the mental part never healed , he was a good Dad
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My great grandpa was a paratrooper in the 504/82 in World War II. He was at Sicily, Salerno, and Anzio with the 504th. After the 504th was withdrawn from Anzio in March ‘44, he was assigned to the 101st Airborne and fought at Normandy, Holland, Belgium, and Germany. He was honorably discharged at the rank of T/4. He passed away in 2006 before I got a chance to meet him. Because of what he did, I want to join the 504/82nd a year or two after I turn 18 and graduate HS. Rest in peace John J. Lower🇺🇸
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This was so special to me as my Dad was 101st Airborne in WW11. He jumped in all the major battles. Thank you to all our heroes in the military. You are very much appreciated.
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Nice to see Italian, Dutch and German paratroopers on this jump, especially over the Netherlands. Great footage and mad respect for you guys!
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my lifelong best friend was Darrel Drumright. He jumped with the 82nd Airborne in the 80s. Drumright became a chiropractor, married, his wife bore three children. @ 56 years, he suffered and died a massive heart attack while running in the treadmill to prevent the same. He was the best friend a man could ever have. GODSPEED, Darrel Drumright.
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Thanks for posting this. Loved seeing some of our NATO allies jumping with you.
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Made about 60 static line jumps, always seemed land about 2 miles to the turn-in point, humping that 'chute. Then I went to HALO/MFF school, and on my 1st jump, with that steerable square canopy, I landed about 20' from the turn-in point and said to myself "this is the shit right here,"
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Did this training back in 2012 in italy. I used a T-10 Mertes as a parachute and at the third jump we hit a pocket of hot air coming up and me and a couple of guys literally stood still in the air for something like 30 seconds. The image of the shiny sea in front of me and the green mountains behind me is burned into my brain. What a beautiful moment. Wholesome, filled with adrenaline and cameraderie. Miss you Captain Pucci
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Thank you for posting. So awesome watching our military in action.
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I'm from nc right outside fortbragg. I had a paratrooper as my life coach teacher. The impact he had on me will never be forgotten
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10 years as a C130 ALM/Dispatcher. The best years of my life watching these brave kids take that first step after being conditioned to jump into the unknown! Had to do the basic course myself to be a dispatcher!
