CHAPTER 22 NO FAVOURS AT PTS

 A parachute descent was simply a means of transport - an easy way to get from a fixed wing aircraft in the sky, to a battle area on the ground, as quickly and safely as possible. It was now our job to teach all troops, not just the elite SAS and Selous Scouts and the regimen remained the same regardless or rank, colour or creed.

All PJIs had to complete the basic static line course, the same course delivered to all paratroopers. No exceptions were made, and no favours given. For a static line jump, a cord (static line) is attached at one end to the aircraft, and at the other end to the bag containing the parachute. When the parachutist jumps, the static line becomes taut and pulls the bag off the parachute. The bag and static line remain with the aircraft and the parachutist continues to fall. The upward rush of air fills the canopy and inflates the parachute.

THE SENIOR PTS STAFF 19 SEPT 1974 

The Senior Staff of the Parachute Training School on 19th Sept 1974 who were responsible for training all the other PJI,s and ultimately the thousands of paratroopers used in the Rhodesian war on terror. From L to R. Sgt Kevin Milligan, Sgt Iain Bowen, Sqn/Ldr Derek de Kock, Sgt Mike Wiltshire, Sgt Ralph Moore, Sgt John Boynton, Flt Sgt Dennis Buchan, Flt/Lt Frank Hales, and being supported by Ralph (the Rat) Moore a drunken Sgt David Barbear.

At first the basic static line course lasted three weeks, during which trainees, whether they were UT/PJIs or ordinary troops, did eight parachute descents. Later, the length of the course was intensified and shortened to two weeks, but still consisted of eight parachute descents.

Each descent had a number of phases which ultimately resulted in the safe arrival of the parachutist on the ground where he could then carry out his job as a soldier.

 In the early days, the drop height was always 1000 feet AGL as we were taught in our original training at RAF Abingdon. This changed in 1973 when I told the Skipper of an aircraft conducting PJI training to fly over the DZ at 500 feet and 95 knots indicated airspeed. The men jumping were not told the drop height had been reduced by 50 per cent. The UT/PJI guinea pigs did the drop and landed on the DZ without any problems.

At the debrief they were quizzed about the drop height and all confirmed that, whilst they thought the drop had been a little low, and the slipstream a lot higher than normal, there were no problems with static line drops from this height. From then on, all the static line courses at PTS included jumps at this reduced altitude with higher drop speed. We were preparing for future battles and the sooner soldiers could safely reach the ground, the better.

The first five days of the course were devoted to ground training, and at the end of this phase the troops would be ready for their first jump. The first two jumps were in clean fatigue and the troops were dispatched by their section PJI with instructions given from the ground by other PJIs using loud halers. The drop height for these two jumps was 1000 feet AGL. After the first two jumps the troops started to carry weapons strapped to their bodies and the drop height was gradually lowered until the normal operational drop height of 500 feet AGL was reached. Usually the seventh jump was done at night with full battle gear but without a suspended load.

Every paratrooper was taught to jump with a suspended load which was attached to a set of  D rings on the main parachute harness below the reserve parachute and lowered on a length of rope after the canopy deployed. The eighth and final jump was usually with full battle gear and a suspended load from 500 feet.

Upon successful completion of the 8^th jump, the men were presented with their wings. Family and friends were invited and it was, especially in the beginning, quite a grand and momentous occasion. At first, the wings were presented by some eminent person at a special wings parade, usually on the aircraft hard standings outside the Parachute Training School hangar. This had to stop when the number of courses increased and time for wings parades became too short. Instead, a senior officer from the Army or Air Force was invited to present the wings on the DZ after the last and qualifying jump. Nevertheless, it was still a considerable achievement, and parachute wings still signified discipline and courage.

 On a large number of occasions wings were presented by General Peter Walls, the Commander of COM OPS. General Walls would come to PTS on the day concerned, do the obligatory ground training, and then jump as The Drifter. Prior to every training sortie, a qualified paratrooper would jump to assess the wind speed and direction. They were called The Drifter. The dispatch point was plotted, and the pilots briefed on where The Drifter should be dispatched. Where he landed in relation to the desired spot on the DZ would give the pilots the necessary information to make the any corrections to ensure the trainees landed safely.  Seeing that even generals had to do ground training before a jump, always impressed the troops on the course. It was also an example of our ‘no favours’ rule.

THE SAFETY EQUIPMENT STAFF WHO KEPT PTS SUPPLIED WITH SERVICEABLE PARACHUTES

 Some time in 1976 the Parachute Training School carried out the 50,000 training parachute descent and this photograph was taken to show the very hard working staff. A massive increase from the original 6 staff in 1961. The PTS secret weapon Sgt Connie Cousins is the third young lady seated from the left.

On many occasions The Drifter was our secret weapon – a female parachute packer by the name of Sgt Connie Cousins, later Mrs Connie Wise. Although it was unusual to see female military parachutists in this era, this lady completed the basic static line course, as was her right as a parachute packer – and again, no special favours were granted. She astounded the soldiers of the Selous Scouts and the Rhodesian African Rifles with her fearless attitude and skill. Connie later completed a Free Fall course and did over 150 jumps at PTS.

Although she completed the course, and, in my opinion earned the right, Connie was not awarded her wings. Only soldiers were allowed to wear the wings on their shoulders and it was not considered part of Air Force dress. We, at the PTS, thought this was a ridiculous rule and tried to change it – to no avail.

 On their return to the PTS hangar after the presentation, the course PJIs gave each new paratrooper his log book and instructed him on how to fill it each time he jumped. As OC PTS, I addressed the course and, for the first time, gave them the Gypsy’s Warning: they were now qualified paratroopers and it was an offence to refuse to jump when ordered to do so. If they did refuse they would be tried by court martial. I wished them luck and reminded them to keep their legs together.

I’m not sure of the exact number, but over the years I worked at the PTS thousands of young men were trained, drilled, tested and finally presented with their wings.