Jump Ground Training Session 2 Group 1
Yesterday we were down at the USAFA Air Field Ground Training Facility. We were able to capture them on the platforms practicing their landings as well as in the harnesses perfecting their form in the air. If the weather holds, we will be out next Monday catching this group going through their jumps.
This is one of the more challenging programs provided by USAFA, Airmanship 490 or AM-490 is a Basic Freefall Parachuting Program that the Academy offers, and it is the core mission of the Wings of Blue and the 98th Training Squadron, all the Cadets on the Wings of Blue team are certified AM-490 Instructors and Jumpmasters. Its purpose is to develop leadership traits through overcoming their own fears. They will be given instruction in basic free fall parachuting and familiarization with emergency parachuting. The successful completion of 5 Jumps results in award of the Air Force basic parachutist badge "Jump Wings", which they can wear on their uniform for the rest of their Air Force career and completion during summer before sophomore year fills one of the few military training requirements that Cadets at USAFA have. Several hundred Cadets over the course of this summer will have to "STAND IN THE DOOR."
AM-490 is the only program in the entire Air Force where the first jump is an unassisted freefall. Because of this unique difference all students, cadet or staff who go through this program will have roughly 40 hours of ground training before their first jump.
We will be out this week to capture these cadets as they do their aerial jumps. To view this sessions Ground Training go to Galleries > Airmanship > Jump or click the link below.