bill2 0 #1 March 10, 2003 Below is an article from the Telegraph(online)out of UK. It mentiones British paratroops assulting the Baghdad airport, and jumping from 250 ft. Is this possible? I would have thought that is way too low to jump from. The article also left me wondering why this is being published at all (unless it's some sort of disinformation plan). ******************************* Paras will make lightning assault on Baghdad airport By Sean Rayment and Julian Coman in New York (Filed: 09/03/2003) British paratroopers are preparing to seize Baghdad's Saddam International Airport in a bold and high-risk air assault. The operation is part of a "blitzkrieg" offensive being planned by Allied commanders in which they hope to overrun the Iraqi capital within 72 hours of the outbreak of war. British troops from 16 Air Assault Brigade will support American soldiers from the 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions. The raid - of a kind unseen since the Second World War - will be launched within hours of President Bush giving his military commanders orders to invade Iraq, perhaps as early as this week. Britain's 16 Air Assault Brigade and 3 Commando Brigade have reached full operational capability and are ready for war. The 7th Armoured Brigade, the other part of the British contingent, will be ready shortly. The war will begin with waves of cruise missiles, followed by bomber and ground attack aircraft striking Iraqi command and control centres. It is understood that the main Allied thrust, comprising two 25,000-strong US infantry divisions, will head into Iraq from Kuwait, while 3 Commando Brigade links up with elements of America's 1st Marine Expeditionary Force to carry out an assault on Basra, Iraq's second city. The Americans remain hopeful that the Turkish parliament will allow the 4th Infantry and 1st Cavalry Divisions into their country to open a northern front against Saddam. In the hours after the launch of war, the airborne assault on Saddam International Airport will begin. Air defence sites and troops guarding the airfield will be destroyed by combat jets armed with satellite-guided bombs before the first British and American troops arrive. Paratroopers or heliborne troops will then assault the airfield, jumping from just 250 ft. The potential threat to Allied troops increased yesterday when it was revealed that Iraq has secretly built a new and potentially lethal unmanned drone that could rain down chemical and biological weapons on advancing forces. The revelation was buried deep in the latest 173-page report from United Nations weapons inspectors, declassified only late on Friday. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,119 #2 March 10, 2003 >and jumping from 250 ft. Is this possible? Sure. BASE jumpers jump from much lower without the benefit of any relative wind on exit. Note that when they're shooting at you, being high in the air is a distinct disadvantage, as is a long canopy ride. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jdhill 0 #3 March 10, 2003 The Paras have been doing training jumps from 250' for some time. Their chutes (not T-10s or MC1s) are designed to open very quickly, and their jump run speed is generally faster than the US uses. JoshAll that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. - Edmund Burke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LouDiamond 1 #4 March 10, 2003 No American military unit jumps square or round canopies from 250' and I seriously doubt anybody elses army would seriously consider putting a fully combat loaded jumper out at that altitude. You would either kill or incapacitate at a minimum of 50% of your people on the jump alone if not more. I think there was some whuffo reporting going on. It is possible to airdrop bundles from lower altitudes but people are generally dropped at 500' in combat,under round canopies, with no reserve required. The condition of the battle field would have to dictate a drop altitude of 500' otherwise commanders will opt to drop at a safer altitude like 800'(which isn't that much safer) or even 1250' if the threat is low. A fully loaded paratrooper, jumping at night from 1250' will still get to the ground in a short period of time."It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #5 March 11, 2003 Yep....the Brits do it. I have watched it. Don't know much other than that though. The lowest I have heard of US troops going is 495Ft. Ranger Bn, Panama. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingnut 0 #6 March 11, 2003 i had a jumper at my dz in germany jump from 100 meters in russia... it was a drunken bey and not smart.. he was jumping a sprt canopy(round though).... e said he had like 20 meters of play time after he was open..... but i'll go with the rest and say it prolly could be done...... ______________________________________ "i have no reader's digest version" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
