Combined special operations Service members jump ‘shoulder-to-shoulder’ in a variety of parachute scenarios during Balikatan 2014

Photo By Sgt. Abbey Perria | A Philippine Marine with Marine Special Operations Group checks his gear before executing a high altitude low-opening jump from a MV-22B Osprey aircraft May 13, 2014 in Basa, Philippines during Balikatan 2014. The Philippine Marines worked shoulder-to-shoulder with U.S. Reconnaissance Marines throughout this year’s exercise. In its 30th iteration, Balikatan is an annual bilateral exercise between the U.S. and the Republic of the Philippines and aims at building both nations interoperability during joint planning, contingency, humanitarian and disaster relief operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Abbey M. Perria/Released)  

PHILIPPINES

05.13.2014

Courtesy Story

Exercise Balikatan       

Story by U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Abbey Perria

BASA AIRFIELD, Philippines – Philippine and U.S. Service members practiced a variety of parachute scenarios off of an MV-22B Osprey aircraft May 13, 2014 during Balikatan 2014.

Operators from Special Forces executed high altitude low-opening and static line jumps.

Philippine Marines with Marine Special Operations Group, U.S. Marines with 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force and U.S. Airmen with 31st Rescue Squadron have worked with each other throughout this year’s Balikatan exercise.

“It enhances our core compentencies to work with the U.S. military and jump off of their aircraft,” said Capt. Charlie Caña, the operation officer with Marine Special Operations Group, Philippine Marines. “We jump at Basa regularly, but it’s beneficial to jump from an Osprey.”

Four to six jumpers exit an aircraft in a row between 1,200 to 1,500 feet during a static line jump while HALO jumps are between 10,000 to 13,000 feet. During HALO, jumpers free-fall for approximately 30 seconds before opening their parachutes at the right altitude then glide back to land.

“There are different ways to jump from different aircraft,” said Cpl. DeVon Henderson, a parachute rigger with Combat logistics Regiment 37, 3rd Marine Logistices Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. “Today’s training is an example of how much proficiency is required to jump off of any aircraft.”

Along with improving their skills and interoperability, Philippine and U.S. Marines simultaneously strengthened the relationship between the two nations.

“We worked with 3rd Reconnaissance all week doing advance marksmanship, and now we are ending it with this jump,” said Cana. “This exercise is good for interoperability between the U.S. military and the Philippines.”

In its 30th iteration, Balikatan is an annual bilateral exercise between the U.S. and the Republic of the Philippines and aims at building both nations interoperability during joint planning, contingency, humanitarian and disaster relief operations.

• Date Taken: 05.13.2014
• Date Posted: 05.16.2014 01:54
• Story ID: 130045
• Location: PH