Hanging high in the sky the sun shining bright cloudless as Huey UH-1Y brought into the air. In times when the helicopter reached a height of 1,500 feet and Marines on board getting ready command. Master jump yelled, “Go!” and with a solid hit on the shoulder of the Marines jumped one after another.
This is a scene as Marines with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Division reconnaissance, taking part in the air, jumping sustainment training held at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., December 16.
The jump is part of the regimen quarterly training for qualified Marine reconnaissance air 2. To continue to qualify, the Marines had to parachute every quarter to stay current as a jumper and the performance and capabilities.
“Obviously the parachute reconnaissance battalion was used as a means of insertion, and is mostly for the Marines on the ground to carry out their mission,” said Staff Sgt. Jerry Fortenberry, platoon Sergeant, platoon, headquarters and paraloft service company, 2nd Recon Bn.
Before the day the Marines received a class jump prevention and how to deal with emergency situations. Marines also go through the practical application in which they act out what they might do if a situation occurs, such as emergencies and how to properly use their reserve parachute.