Marine killed in parachute accident
According to Pinal Central, a Marine died in a parachute accident in Arizona during training;
The incident occurred about 7:45 a.m. when first responders received a call from a resident reporting that a parachutist in military uniform had fallen just outside her driveway.
According to a U.S. Marine Corps Training Command press release, the Marine was participating in a double-bag static line course when the accident took place.
The Marine was in training with the U.S. Marine Corps School of Infantry West.
Officials said his name will not be released until his family is notified.
Category: Marine Corps
May God Bless this Marine and his family during this tragic time.
Rest in Peace.
More info:
https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/your-marine-corps/2018/01/23/marine-killed-in-jump-incident-corps-suspends-double-bag-static-line-jumps/
Just being in uniform can be a dangerous proposition. We have all seen people die in training accidents, and hopefully some good comes out of this tragedy by way of improved training and/maintenance. RIP, Devildog.
I have never personally known someone to die in training, thank goodness. However, Fort Campbell set up phony grave markers inside the main gate b/c of the large number of troopers killed in off-duty DWIs. It was a long time before MADD and harsh DWI laws made their appearance. I can still see all of those markers in my mind’s eye.
When I was in A-School (MOS training for you non-navy types), I’m not sure if it was the Navy or local Millington, TN law enforcement; but some agency brought this thing called The Convincer to our school house.
It was basically a roller coaster car on a 15-20′ angled track. Apparently before you hit the stops at the end of the track you would achieve a speed of 5 mph.
The purpose was to convince you that seat belts work…and that even a 5 MPH crash can hurt a little.
Oh yeah. As a cop, had a fender bender case. The driver was doing maybe 20 mph. Passenger didn’t wear a seatbelt. He fucked up his face real good.
This is sad. Much too young. Rest in Peace, Marine.
Prayers up.
Follow the link to militarytimes. There is a story link in three right sidebar that id’s the Recon CPL the was lost in this incident.
Would have copied the name but !’m using my tablet.
Fair Winds and Following Seas Devil Dog, may your Brothers and Sisters escort you through the gates.
Rest in peace, shipmate.
Prayers for both the Marine’s family and the resident who witnessed the accident. That can be traumatic enough, I know.
RIP, Marine.
I had to look up “Double Bag Static Line.” It’s a kind of HAHO (High Altitude High Opening) parachute operation using a ram air parachute (the same kind that Military Freefall jumpers use.)
When I was in the SF battalions we called that a “hop and pop” because the MFF jumpers would jump out and immediately open their parachute so they could “offset”, i.e, fly their parachutes into a “denied area” for a surreptitious entry.
I guess using a static line (that opens the parachute automatically) works better for keeping the team all together so they will fly and land at the DZ together.
I watched 2 men die in jump school including the kid in the bunk above me. Anytime you step out the door anything can happen. Two thoughts: God Bless that Marine and how the fuck did he end up in a driveway? How far off was he?
Rest in peace Marine. God be with your family. Training for war is as dangerous as war.
I’m with Martinjmpr- I had to look this up and realized that it’s HAHO, which I had never heard called anything but HAHO. I was also confused by the location- I thought all services went to the Army course at Yuma.
After a bit of research I learned that the Marines contracted to have this course conducted in Coolidge, Arizona, which is not too far from where the jumper was found.
One of the reasons we maintain the HAHO capability is that you can penetrate up to 40 miles under canopy depending on how high you jump. Vally Farms is only about 5 miles from the school, so there are a bunch of plausible scenarios, to include an early exit far from the Drop Zone (this actually happens more than you might think- Jumpmasters lean out too far on their Clear to the Rear and simply fall out of the plane), activation in the aircraft, mid-air collision, etc.
Or, he could have simply got lost, ‘flew’ a few miles in the wrong direction, and had a bad landing.
I never did HAHO or HALO, but I there was a death in my Jumpmaster class, and I was on two other mass-tac jumps in the 82nd where people were killed.
This is inherently dangerous training. But, hey, theat’s why paratroopers earn the big bucks ($150 a month for Static Line, $225 for HALO)
I think the bumped it up to $225 some time in the early 2000’s. I was on jump status until June of 2003 so I got some of those additional bennies! 😀
“I think the bumped it up to $225 some time in the early 2000’s.”
yep
I read yours and Martinjmpr’s comments and didn’t catch the HAHO in the story. I can see how he could be way off course especially if it was at night or something.
Rest in peace Badass! Prayers of comfort and strength for your family, loved ones and brothers in arms.
Inherently dangerous indeed. When shit goes bad it’s suck factor 4 bad. At least with MFF if you have a catostrophic malfunction you generally have a cushion to take corrective action. Static line jump malfunctions you’re pretty much fucked.
Not sure if SWC is still allowing students to challenge the MFF course if they have a USPA B license and a chamber card. I remember early 90’s 5th SFG(A) had contracted with a civilian skydive facility in Tullahoma, Tn and sent guys down for 2 weeks TDY learning how to skydive and get a B license. They then went to the school house and challenged the MFF course by making the required jumps.
We used to also send guys to a course called O2 in El Centro, Ca for HALO jumps above 25,000 feet AGL.
Training for war is dangerous.
My first cruise, we had an AO in G3 Division that had his head crushed in an armored hatch in a vertical ladder trunk that led down to the bomb storage spaces on the 4th or 5th deck…he passed away.
During a Puerto Rico Det, we had an Airlant pilot flying with our squadron on a Vieques bombing run, he and our pilot switched lead on a low level approach. The jet wash from our pilot’s aircraft pushed the other guy right into the water at full military power.
My second cruise, during work-ups we had an E-2 fly into the water after declaring an emergency on approach due to smoke in the cabin/cockpit…all souls aboard were lost.
During the same work-up the XO of my sister squadron (F/A-18C) was leading a nighttime Alpha Strike against the Vieques bombing range…he flew into the water. I will never forget the 1MC call for the Alert SAR Helo…
My last cruise, we had a Helo carrying part of a SEAL Platoon attached to our ship fly into the water. The Platoon leader and both pilots died in that crash.
People like to claim that Squids have it easy and safe…but if you go to the online cruise books site. You can see just about every deployment has a In Memory Of page.
Not trying to take anything away from this warrior, or any warrior out there. Just hoping that maybe a civilian type will read this, and know that we train how we fight…and it’s all dangerous.
Civilian here. Thank you for sharing your memories of those horrendous training accidents. My deepest sympathies to all their families and friends in the lost of such dedicated defenders of freedom. I am so thankful for the military of the United States of America and as a humble Christian everyday,as I pray, I ask that God to bless each one of you whether on active duty, in hospitals, retired or home-bound, to shower you with His love and blessings. I know you are the finest men and women in the world. Thank you (seems so inadequate) for the sacrifices you have made to serve our country, of being away fron your loved ones for long periods of time, for your courage, determination, patriotism under fire and while in training. Though we have not met, you are in my heart and always will be. This 80 year old gal is so proud of you, can I adopt all of you as my family?
My neighbor flies our nation’s beautiful flag, day and night, in your honor, and whenever I see it I am reminded that we are still safe…
YOU are on guard. And I thank God!
Can you feel the hugs I’m sending each of you?
Respectfully, e.conboy
Rest well, Marine.
RLTW.
Rest in peace, our younger brother in arms.
May God bring you peace and comfort to your family.