International Jump Fest
Jumpers from seven countries earn wings

After 66 parachute jumps, do you still get an adrenaline rush? 
German Sgt. 1st Class Kai Becker, Paratrooper Battalion 263 jumpmaster,
says he always gets the rush as he steps out the back door of an
aircraft.

Sergeant Becker and 109 jumpers from the U.S.,
Germany, France, Belgium, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Italy
jumped out of Ramstein’s C-130Es during Jump Fest April 25 to April 27.
 

“This is the biggest Jump Fest we have ever had,” said
Staff Sgt. Derwood Burke, 786th Security Forces Squadron
paratrooper.  “This event gives us practice and builds camaraderie
between fellow paratroopers.”

Jumpers exited the planes at 1,200
feet above ground level with one-second intervals between jumpers,
which equals about 25 feet, said Sergeant Burke.  Jumpers used 100
square meter parachutes as they dropped about 18 to 22 feet per second
and landed at the Alzey Drop Zone near Sembach.  

After the
three-day Jump Fest, jumpers received jump wings from foreign countries
at a ceremony April 27, if they had jumped with a foreign jump pack and
foreign jumpmaster.  When jumping with a foreign jumpmaster, all
jump commands are given in the jumpmaster’s native language.  

“I
received Belgian and United Kingdom jump wings,” said 1st Lt. Rajesh
Ramlakham, 5th Quartermaster Detachment executive officer and
paratrooper.  “I enjoy the opportunity to jump with our allies
because I believe it strengthens the bond between us.  As we
deploy downrange with other countries, these bonds are important since
we are all in the same fight.”

Anatomy of a jump:
How paratroopers get up to get down