Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON -- First Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, conducted its first "battalion jump" since 1991, March 8.

Qualified members of the battalion jumped from the ramp of a KC-130 Hercules in full combat gear as a first step in a new approach to insertion.

"This is a stepping-stone approach," said LtCol. Michael Paulovich, commanding officer, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion.  "We're adapting to the needs of the Marine Corps." 

Until now, reconnaissance battalions have relied on other means of insertion, including boats and helicopters.  However, most reconnaissance Marines are trained and proficient in parachuting operations. 

Advanced anti-aircraft weapons have made helicopter insertion techniques, where the craft is in close proximity to the drop zone, more dangerous than in the past.  According to Paulovich, parachuting to a destination can keep aircraft farther from detection and danger.  

However, inserting small, specialized teams into hostile environments by parachute isn't a new practice.  Force Reconnaissance Marines are trained in high altitude, high opening, low opening and free fall techniques.  1st Recon Bn. simply hasn't had that role until now.

First Force Recon refreshed 1st Recon Battalion's jump masters in executing parachute operations, and provided necessary gear for the battalion exercise. 
The Marines used older-design, round parachutes as they jumped from 1,500 feet above sea level.  They also used static lines, which ejects the parachutes automatically as Marines leave the aircraft.

"We're starting simple," Paulovich said.  "With the round parachutes, you pretty much land where the jump master drops you."

A large, orange "T" served as a target in the center of the drop zone.  Paulovich said, ideally, the Marines would land as close together as possible.

"If you land somewhere at night, you can't spend so much time trying to find everybody in your team," he said.  "That's why it's important that we group well, and move right into a tactical movement."

Eventually, Paulovich would like at least one-third of 1st Recon Bn. Marines to be proficient in parachute operations.  He also plans to advance to a newer, rectangular parachute.

As opposed to the round style, rectangular parachutes can be steered and have the capability to glide up to 20 kilometers.

When 1st Recon Bn. was done jumping for the day, several Marines from 1st Force Recon practiced free fall jumping from 12,000 feet above sea level, using the rectangular model parachute.  After jumping out of the aircraft, the Marines fell 5,000 to 8,000 feet before deploying their parachutes.  Several of the Marines practiced tandem jumping - jumping with another person attached to the same parachute. 

Tandem jumping could be used in situations where a specialized person has to be inserted, but is not trained in jumping.

"It was a great day - the jump went very well," said 1stLt. Kevin Root, B Company, 1st Recon Battalion.  "I'm looking forward to continuing this type of training, and getting all my Marines trained who couldn't make it out here today."