Heavens above

ADF parachutists form a ‘1000’ to acknowledge the visiting British OIC’s 1000th jump at the ADF Parachute Association Military Nationals recently. Photo by CPL Rob Douthat

By Andrew Stackpool

PARACHUTING is back with a vengeance after the successful completion of the 2003 ADF Parachute Association Military Nationals at RAAF Base Wagga.

The 18th Nationals were placed in doubt when skydiving joined several other sports on the inappropriate sports list, but with the overturning of that decision RAAF Wagga turned on near perfect conditions for the event from December 1-12.

Association President Captain Neale McIver said the Nationals were not just a recreational sports event. “Firstly [the Nationals] are about the furtherance of a military skill, primarily for the Army and secondly they are about fostering relations with neighbouring countries and other armed forces,” he said.

Ninety-five skydivers participated – 62 Army, two Navy and eight Air Force parachutists, 12 British skydivers from the Joint Service Parachute Centre and the Royal Artillery’s “Black Knights”, and 11 from the Royal Thai Army.

“We have previously had teams from Singapore, Brunei, South Africa, the USA and New Zealand but events overseas have precluded them this year. However, the Brits came specially for the event and were most welcome, though I think they found the weather a bit uncomfortable,” CAPT McIver said.

He said conditions were mostly perfect for the event, which lost only two days on weather hold.

“Meteorology is the number one impelling factor for a successful series and Wagga is a premium for sky diving,” he said.

“We had great weather with low cloud, low humidity being so far from the sea and hot and dry conditions – up to 42 degrees.”

The Nationals covered several events including Formation at intermediate and open levels, Canopy Relative rotation with up to 14 rotations completed, Classic and Swoop Accuracy and a 10-way star, in which parachutists jump loose simultaneously then build the star as quickly as possible.

The British won the Open and Intermediate Formation events, the Thais took home the Classic Accuracy and Canopy Relative while the Australians took out the Swoop Accuracy.

The 10-way Star was a mixed event with teams comprising entrants from all countries and services.

“It is more a celebratory than a competitive event,” CAPT McIver said.

It is also extremely safe. According to CAPT McIver, more than 1400 descents were performed, all without incident.

“We are now looking forward to the next Nationals. The 2003 Nationals were a very successful and positive event that attracted a lot of good publicity for the ADF,” he said

“Sky diving is an integral part of Defence Service and is very much back on the agenda.”

The Air Force members who took part were Leading Aircraftman Warren Anderson, Flight Sergeant Shaunn Segon, Corporal Dean Brook-Rerecich, Flight Lieutenant Sean Walsh, Leading Aircraftman Tim Moore, Flight Lieutenant Pete Lewis and US Air Force Major Zev York.

View an MPEG video of the 2003 ADF Parachute Association Military Nationals.

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