ALTENSTADT, Germany (Sept. 21-23, 2015) -- The 4th Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment, from Hunter Army Airfield, Ga., the current rotational aviation force attached to the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, sent two UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters to support training for 15 members of the German parachute team, here, Sept. 21-23, at the Bundeswehr Airborne School in Altenstadt, Germany. The Germans are training for the upcoming Military World Games in South Korea, where they will attempt to win the gold medal for the second consecutive time.
The Sportfördergruppe Bw Fallschirmspringen (Bundeswher parachute team) training consisted of free fall and high altitude parachuting instead of static line jumping, which is commonplace for military operations. The Black Hawks flew up to 12,000 feet in order for the jumpers to practice different disciplines they are proficient in. The training went on for three consecutive days, with a duration of six to eight hours per day. Drops were executed approximately every 20 minutes between the two Black Hawks.
"I thought this was a great opportunity to come down here and support this training," said 1st. Lt. Chad Drake, Platoon Leader for Alpha Company, 4th Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment. "More importantly we were able to get good commradery going and build a relationship, which can later be translated onto the battlefield."
The Black Hawks provided by 4-3 are the same aircraft that will be utilized during the games next month in South Korea. The German team competing will consist of 5 male jumpers and 5 female jumpers in three disciplines -- accuracy, formation and freefall.
"Our group is a mix of beginner, intermediate and professional jumpers. One of our most experienced, Master Sgt. Stefan Wiesner, has over 10,600 jumps and 15 world championships to his name," said Master Sgt. Sascha Losotta, team coach and leader.
The Military World Games, the Olympiad for the world's military athletes, are a multi-sporting event organized every four years, one year before the Olympic games. The games are based on the CISM (Conseil International du Sport Militaire) and Olympic spirit, without political, religious and racial consideration or discrimination.
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