WO2 Ralf Jaeger gives the thumbs up to life in the Army after his 3000th military parachute descent. Photo by Cpl Peter Gammie, RAAF Wagga Wagga

Still going at 3000 jumps

By Deanna Nott

For the first time in Australian Army history, a parachutist has made 3000 successful military jumps.

A soldier for 27 years, WO2 Ralf Jaeger, 43, achieved the milestone in his hometown of Adelaide during the Clipsal 500 V8 Supercar Race.

Nine members of the Australian Army Parachute Display Team, the Red Berets, visited South Australia for the four-day event and conducted a total of 12 jumps for the massive Clipsal crowds.

“It was a fantastic buzz. It’s great how as a member of the military I am able to enjoy my favourite sport as my day job,” he said.

“I have almost 7400 jumps in total, including my civilian skydives, but today was important because I was jumping as part the Red Berets.

“I love parachuting because it’s absolute freedom.”

A special board will be built and hung at the Parachute Training School at HMAS Albatross in Nowra, NSW, in recognition of the achievement.

It will join two boards currently adorning the walls – one with the names of all personnel who have achieved 1000 military jumps and another with the three parachutists who have hit the 2000 jump mark.

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